“We had never heard of omphalocele before that day,” Blain said. “It was terrifying, especially after we did more research about it online. We cried for about 24 hours after that, then decided we needed to be strong for our son.”
Omphalocele is a rare condition where a baby's intestines, liver or other organs protrude outside of the abdomen through the belly button. After confirming this diagnosis, Blain’s doctors conducted more tests, including an echocardiogram to check her baby’s heart function, which fortunately showed no issues. This was a significant relief for the Thompsons, since omphalocele can often be accompanied by other complications, including heart defects.
Blain continued to see her doctors regularly for the remainder of her pregnancy, and on May 11, 2021, Gavin Thompson was born, weighing just 5 lbs., 6 oz., at a Houston hospital.
“He surprised all of the doctors and nurses with how healthy he was, despite his condition,” Blain said.
Initially, Gavin's condition in-utero included a more extensive list of organs protruding outside his abdominal wall. However, by the time of his birth, only his liver, intestines and a portion of his stomach were still positioned outside.
“This was another surprise to his medical team, but we were all happy with the news,” Blain said.
On the day he was born, Gavin was visited by Dr. Matthew Harting, a pediatric surgeon affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. They discussed the medical journey ahead, including a detailed plan for surgery to repair the omphalocele. In most instances, this surgery is not performed until six to18 months after birth, giving the Thompsons time to prepare and understand what to expect in the coming months.
In addition, after conducting thorough post-birth assessments, Gavin's medical team determined he had an isolated omphalocele, which meant he had none of the additional health issues that sometimes accompany his condition.
“That was such a huge relief, because up until then, we really didn’t know what else to expect,” Blain said.
Because of his weight and condition, Gavin stayed in the NICU for a month after his birth, struggling to gain enough weight and maintain his oxygen levels. Because he had a sac of organs outside his body, a sterile dressing was placed over it to protect it. This allows temporary skin to form over the organs. During this time, the Thompsons were in constant communication with Dr. Harting and the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital medical teams about their son’s condition.
After Gavin was finally discharged home, Dr. Harting checked on him regularly for ongoing monitoring and to prepare for his surgery, which was scheduled for June the following year—just past his first birthday.
“He probably spent more time with Dr. Harting than with his family that first year,” Blain joked.
Dr. Harting added, “Gavin was my little buddy.”
In October of that year, the Thompson family received some more unexpected news: Gavin was going to become a big brother. In the midst of this joyous update, however, Gavin faced a health scare that required the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team transport him to Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) treatment.
Dr. Harting was a constant presence during that time, offering support to Gavin and his family throughout. A few weeks later, at just 5 months old, Gavin underwent surgery for a tongue tie and a double hernia repair, marking another step in his medical journey.
When Gavin was 9 months old and they were awaiting his omphalocele surgery, he got to attend another special event—his parents’ wedding.
Gavin's omphalocele surgery was scheduled for June 6, 2022. In the days leading up to it, the Thompsons felt both excited and nervous—nervous for the major surgery, but excited that their son would finally be getting the operation he needed.
"These surgeries start with removing the protective sac/temporary skin enveloping the organs outside the abdomen,” Dr. Harting explained. “We then carefully examine the organs for any signs of damage or additional anomalies, addressing any concerns with the organs and within the abdomen. Following this, we carefully place the organs back into the abdomen and repair the opening in the abdominal wall."
The surgery was a success, and Dr. Harting and the medical team were able to do the entire repair that day, despite the fact that this condition can require a series of surgeries for a complete repair. Gavin surprised everybody with how quickly he recovered.
In a whirlwind of events, just a week and a half after his surgery, Gavin's younger brother, Joseph, arrived a month early. Born just 13 months apart, the two siblings quickly became inseparable, forging a bond as partners in crime and best friends.
Since then, Gavin has been healthy enough for long-distance travel, and the family has been adventuring across the United States, visiting parks and landmarks. Currently, the family has been to 37 states and counting.
In June 2023, Dr. Harting gave Gavin a clean bill of health, marking a significant milestone in his recovery. Gavin continues to visit him annually for routine checkups, primarily to monitor for any signs of hernias—a possible complication even after this condition has been surgically resolved. Aside from this precaution, Gavin is thriving and as healthy as ever.
"He loves to show off his scar,” Blain said. “We’ve always encouraged him to see it as a symbol of what he's overcome and something that makes him special. Dr. Harting even made him a belly button during his surgery, which was so thoughtful, since children with this condition don’t have one."
Blain said that she will always be thankful for the high-quality care their family received at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.
"As a first-time mom, I was so scared when I first found out about Gavin’s condition, but Dr. Harting was just amazing,” Blain said. “I've since recommended Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital to everyone. It wasn't just about the outstanding medical care; it was the empathy and support they extended to us as parents that truly set them apart."