Trinidadian Baby Has Hole in Heart- In Need of Immediate Life Saving Surgery in South Florida

MIAMI – The International Kids Fund (IKF) is seeking the community’s help to save a baby from Trinidad suffering from two rare, life-threatening heart defects.

Three month-old, Karine Rampersad has a hole in her heart, the result of her critical arteries being reversed and located in the wrong position. Karine’s heart does not get enough oxygen, causing her to have a blue-tinged color to her skin and lips, and trouble breathing. Without a normal blood supply, Karine is always tired and not able to feed, gain weight, grow, and function properly.

“If this condition is not taken care of right away it can be fatal because we are already starting to see baby Karine’s health deteriorate drastically,” says Dr. Eliot Rosenkranz, cardiothoracic surgeon at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. “With the proper surgery and treatment we will be able to help save her life.”

Since Karine is not a U.S. resident and a public hospital cannot use taxpayers’ money to pay for her treatment, IKF is seeking the community’s support in raising $50,000 to help cover the cost of her procedure. Holtz’s Children Hospital, Jackson Memorial Medical Center and the University of Miami have offered to perform the surgery at a charitable rate through their partnerships with the International Kids Fund (IKF).

“Baby Karine was born with a hole in her heart — that alone can destroy her life as well as her family,” says Janelle Prieto, director of IKF. “With the support of the community, we can help Karine continue to live and give her a chance at a normal childhood.”

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