Leah Baber

Liver Recipient

“From the moment we brought her home, I felt something was wrong. Leah was lethargic and wasn’t eating. From then on, it was non-stop visiting the doctor to find out what was happening,” shared Cindy, Leah’s adoptive mom.   

“The doctors first thought Leah had a viral infection. She was in the hospital for two weeks on IV anti-viral meds, but couldn’t maintain her temperature and had to have a catheter inserted in her head. Leah was placed under heat lamps, trying to keep her warm. We were sent home from the hospital, but things still weren’t right, and Leah was not well.   

After contacting Leah’s birth mother, we found that there were false positives on Leah’s birth screening. She was diagnosed with Propionic Acidemia, an inherited disorder that prevents the correct processing of proteins and fats.   

Leah spent 21 days in the hospital, but doctors still could not metabolize her proteins. Ammonia filled her blood, and she continued to vomit and pass out. At the time, MUSC had only treated one other child with Leah’s disease. Finally, the doctor said, “The time for a transplant is now. Without it, she’s not going to survive”. Leah was put on the waitlist.   

In January 2016, Leah was bumped to the top of the waiting list with urgency, with only one other child ahead of her. A donor became available, and we waited. The other child was given that gift. I was afraid and devastated. I tried to come to terms with the idea that we might lose her.   

In February, we got another call and rushed to MUSC. Leah was given a second chance at life with her liver transplant. That summer, we officially adopted Leah as our own. Leah’s liver transplant showed us a true miracle and saved our child’s life.”