According to the parents, their baby, Matthew, was born with a rare facial deformity called acrania, which affects approximately one in every 20,000 infants. The condition involves the absence of a portion of the skull, resulting in a flat cranial region.
The couple suspects that the mother’s use of over-the-counter capsules containing phenylephrine HCI, chlorphenamine maleate, and paracetamol during the first month of her pregnancy, when she had a fever, may have contributed to their baby’s unusual facial condition.
Matthew’s birth in the Philippines was via cesarean section, and two months prior, during the first ultrasound, doctors informed the couple that the chances of Matthew surviving beyond a few weeks were extremely low. The father, the Raven, described his initial reaction upon seeing their almost faceless baby as trembling, feeling weak, and nearly collapsing inside the delivery room.
Despite the severity of Matthew’s condition, he was discharged from the hospital the day after his birth, while his mother remained in the Intensive Care Unit for further observation for two weeks. Surprisingly, Matthew continued to survive, consuming drops of milk and vitamins every day, according to the NY Post.
Medical experts have advised against major surgery on Matthew’s face at his young age and with his weight of only 11 pounds, deeming it too risky. However, the baby’s mother, Isabela, remains hopeful that a solution will emerge in the future.
Matthew’s parents are determined to provide for his daily needs and look forward to a better future for their firstborn. Isabela expressed her faith in God’s grace and advancements in medical science, envisioning the day when she can see Matthew’s handsome face.
Despite earning a meager wage of $4 per day at a clothing factory, Raven remains hopeful and appreciates the support they receive from relatives and friends in meeting the infant’s special requirements. The family has sought medical assistance at the Philippine General Hospital, undergoing various clinical and laboratory procedures in the search for a potential solution to Matthew’s rare condition.
