A Mater craniofacial surgeon has reconstructed the face of an Ipswich tot who miraculously survived a rare flesh-eating infection after he was born 13 weeks' premature.
Dr Diana Kennedy has already performed 10 facial surgeries on Patrice Mazuba, who developed a life-threatening noma neonatorum infection just weeks after he was born at Mater Mothers' Hospital.
"This is a rare gangrenous disease that can develop in babies – especially pre-term babies – and can be fatal if left untreated," Dr Kennedy said.
"Thankfully, noma neonatorum is extremely rare in Australia. This is the first case we know of that Mater and Queensland Children's Hospital have treated."
Patrice weighed just 1.1kg when he was born on 21 August last year and also fought a blood infection and encepthalitis while was cared for in Mater's Neonatal Critical Care Unit.
First-time parents Eliza Karubandika, 23, and Patrick Mazuba, 32, said they could not believe their son's transformation and thanked Dr Kennedy for helping to save his life.
"Christmas is just around the corner and to see Patrice now at home, and not in hospital, is really special," Mrs Karubandika said.
"Last year we didn't know if he would even survive. Now he will be with us, opening lots of presents."
Dr Kennedy said Patrice developed the necrotising infection on the left side of his left face, starting in the corner of his mouth.
"Doctors thought he may not survive the progressing infections," Dr Kennedy said.
"Sepsis, encephalitis and noma neonatorum all have high mortality rates."
She said Patrice had multiple surgeries to remove infected tissue and then repair his extensive skin defects and wounds.
The longest operation was the reconstruction of the corner of Patrice's mouth, where the infection has destroyed the muscles and connection between his top and bottom lips. He most recently underwent a commisurolplasty to correct outstanding deformities at the corners of his mouth.
"It's a miracle and a testament to the tireless efforts of the doctors and nurses that cared for him that he was able to survive such a difficult start to life," Dr Kennedy said.
"Patrice is defying all the odds and growing well and meeting his developmental milestones."
If necessary, when Patrice becomes a teenager or adult, he may require small revisions of residual scarring and potentially reconstruction of some of the facial nerve branches that were lost on the left side of his face due to the infection, Dr Kennedy said.
"He is intelligent and charming and it's exciting to see his personality and talents continue to develop," she said.
Patrice's parents, who migrated from the Congo in 2015, described their son's journey as "complicated and heartbreaking".
"During my pregnancy doctors found I had a shortened cervix and Patrice was born very early," Mrs Karubandika said.
"Patrice fought for survival from the moment he was born."
Mrs Karubandika said she thought her son may not survive as she watched the infection slowly spread across his face, destroying the tissue in his little cheeks.
"He was only around six weeks old when the infection started. I kept telling God that I cannot lose my baby," she said.
"It was thanks to Mater and the incredible team that his life was saved. This hospital gave me hope."
Mrs Karubandika said she cannot stop smiling when seeing how happy her son is now.
"Patrice looks so amazing, so many people don't know his story," she said.
"Hi scar isn't that big. Patrice is a fighter and he is our everything.
"He is so strong and he's funny. I am so grateful he has recovered and is home ready to celebrate Christmas with us."
