'Extremely premature' Scots baby home after receiving new heart procedure

The first baby in Scotland to receive a pioneering new heart procedure has been able to go home after being born “extremely prematurely”.

Aribella Duncan was born at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital at just over 23 weeks in July 2025, weighing only 500 grams.

A few weeks later, she was the first baby in Scotland to undergo a minimally invasive heart procedure at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

Soon after birth, doctors highlighted that Aribella had a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), a condition where a vital blood vessel fails to close naturally after birth, most commonly seen in very premature babies.

PDA places significant strain on the heart and lungs, making breathing, growth, and recovery much more difficult.

Now weighing eight pounds and nine ounces, seven‑month‑old Aribella is back home with her parents, Caitlin and Jack.

Caitlin explained that Aribella’s early arrival into the world was a bit of a shock.

She said: “There was nothing in my scans to suggest I’d go into pre‑term labour or that Aribella had any issues. I arrived at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital at 22 weeks and six days, and Aribella was born at 23 weeks and one day.

“Surprisingly, she was born still inside her waters. They say that’s good luck. She even gave a little cry when she arrived, and we got the chance for a snuggle.”

After a few weeks of monitoring, Aribella was moved to The Scottish Paediatric Cardiac Service at the Royal Hospital for Children for specialised treatment.

“There were a couple of attempts to close the PDA using medication,” said Caitlin.

“But we were told that if the medicine didn’t work, surgery would be the next step. We were given two options: open‑heart surgery or a minimally invasive keyhole approach.

“The doctors told us that because of her weight and size, Aribella was the perfect candidate for the less invasive option.”

Doctors at the RHC have since performed this on a further three babies since Aribella.

Using a tiny device called an Abbott Amplatzer Piccolo, the cardiologists enter through a small incision in the baby’s leg, through the ductus, to seal the opening in the heart.

This technique significantly reduces invasiveness, lowers risk, and speeds up recovery for fragile babies.

Dr Mohammad Ryan Abumehdi, consultant interventional Paediatric and Congenital Cardiologist, explained: “With this minimally invasive technique, the interventional cardiology team, in close conjunction with neonatal medicine and anaesthetics, were able to close Aribella’s PDA.

“It meant she underwent a much less invasive procedure and had a much gentler recovery. For premature babies, those benefits are hugely important.

Caitlin said the difference in her daughter was immediate, adding: “We didn’t know what to expect when Aribella came back from theatre, but she looked right up at us with bright eyes and was playfully kicking her legs. We couldn’t believe how quickly she bounced back.

“Over the next days and weeks, she started gaining weight and growing so much faster. She was like a completely different baby. It’s amazing to think how much energy she must have been using just to cope with the PDA. Once it was closed, she finally had the chance to focus on growing and developing.”

Aribella was transferred back to the Aberdeen neonatal unit five days after the procedure, where she continued her development.

She was then transferred to Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital in January 2026 to continue her road towards home.

Dr Abumehdi added: “We’re delighted to hear how well Aribella is doing. Being able to offer this minimally invasive surgery to premature babies is an exciting step forward for neonatal and cardiac care in Scotland. It shows what collaboration, innovation and compassion can achieve for our smallest patients.

“A huge thank‑you to everyone involved across neonatal care, cardiology, physiology and anaesthetics.”

Dr Natalie Smee, who has been part of the team caring for Aribella in Aberdeen, commented: “It is fantastic to see the progress Aribella has made over the last few months.

“We have a lot of strong partnership working between Glasgow and Aberdeen, and this new procedure has undoubtedly made a huge difference to Aribella’s recovery and development.

“Many staff across our Neonatal Unit and Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital have got to know Aribella and her family, and we’re all so pleased she is thriving.”