Baby born without a skull in US given days to live still fighting strong
A young baby born without his skull in Florida recently celebrated his first birthday despite doctors saying he would die within days of birth.
Jaxon Emmett Buell was born with a large chunk of his skull missing, due to a condition known as Anencephaly – a malformation that developed while he was in the womb and affects one in about 4,860 babies in the US.
Defying the odds, the little fighter has earned the nickname "Jaxon Strong" on social media as more than 18,000 people have shared his story.
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His devout Christian parents Brandon and Brittany found out about the condition in the 17th week of the pregnancy when they discovered they were having a boy.
The 30-year-old father told The Daily Mail the mood in the changed and they "knew something was up when the ultrasound technician went towards his head and went very quiet".
"Brittany got the call the next day from the doctors saying there was a concern with the MRI results. She was in tears and told me there was an issue with the baby.
"Of course, I lost it at work so they sent me home and the rest of the day was a blur truly."
Doctors said there could be a number of things wrong with the baby, from Down syndrome to Spina bifida.
They were advised to terminate at 23 weeks, but that was against the young Christian couple's beliefs.
"Who are we to decide? We were given a child, we are given a chance and we have to be his voice," Brandon said.
Despite the possibility Jaxon could be stillborn, 27-year-old Brittany carried him till he was born by Caesarian in Augusts 2014.
Jaxon is going strong, but Brittney admits neither she nor Brandon know for how long he could go.
"It is always in the back of my mind. I’m very aware that today maybe his last day. I’m aware tomorrow he may not be here," she said.
Jaxon spent the first three weeks in intensive neonatal care at Florida's Winnie Palmer Hospital as brain surgeons tried to understand his condition.
His parents have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover his medical expenses, drawing more than $60,000 so far.
Morning news break – September 5
