A baby boy has died just days after finally being allowed home following almost three months in hospital. Luca Hayes was born seven weeks premature on May 26 with gastroschisis, a birth defect that occurs in one in every 3,000 babies and sees some organs develop outside the body. In his case, the condition concerned his bowels.
Parents' harrowing journey
His parents Demi Duffin and Charlie Hayes, from Sittingbourne, Kent, previously told of the moment their son was born with no heartbeat before being successfully revived by doctors. They said they had to wait for the “longest hour” of their lives while Luca had his first life-saving surgery.
He underwent three more operations at King's College in London and was finally able to come home last month after spending 83 days in hospital. But five days later, on August 22, Charlie said his son stopped breathing three times. He was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital, where he was sedated after his condition started to deteriorate.
Final days and death
Charlie explained: “Luca’s tummy had become extremely swollen and blood circulation was being cut off from his legs (due to sepsis). It then became very clear he was extremely poorly.” Demi added that the infection led to Luca going into cardiac arrest, and they were eventually told he was stable enough to be transferred to King's College. He was taken to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), where he went into cardiac arrest again several times during surgery.
The parents were then given the heartbreaking news about their son’s condition, and Luca died just after midnight on August 23. He was two months and 28 days old. “Luca passed away with his mummy and daddy right by his side, we sang his favourite song to him and told him how dearly we loved him,” Charlie said. “Our hearts are broken and it really does not feel real, we had him home for five days, just five tiny days. However we will treasure those five days for the rest of our lives.”
Fundraiser and memories
The parents have set up a fundraiser to give him “the most beautiful send off”. It has a goal of £2,600. Charlie added: “He truly was the most beautiful baby boy we have ever seen. Due to Luca being in hospital for three months we have not been able to work. So we are doing something we wish we didn’t have to do and ask for your help. Please donate if you can and please share to your friends and family. We love you precious Luca, our sweet sweet baby boy.”
Demi told KentOnline Luca was a “very very happy baby” who loved everything around him, “especially his milk”. “He loved bath time, but hated being naked. He had such a wonderful little personality that would light up a room,” she added. “I really wish I had more time with him, he deserved the world.”
The couple found out they were going to have a baby in October and were told their child had gastroschisis three months into Demi’s pregnancy. Luca was born through an emergency C-section and weighed three pounds and five ounces. After his first surgery, he was rushed to The Royal London Hospital with Charlie by ambulance, while Demi recovered from her surgery. Determined to be with her baby, Demi discharged herself from Medway hospital just eight hours after having the C-section, even though doctors recommend 24 hours of recovery. Within four hours of being at the hospital, the baby went under the knife again, this time to start putting his bowels back in his body. He had two further surgeries to complete this work on May 30 and June 3. Donations can be made via GoFundMe to help give Luca a beautiful send-off.
