In September 2025, Eden was rushed to Alder Hey for emergency lifesaving surgery to have a large cyst and the lower lobe of his right lung removed.
Eden was diagnosed with Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation (CPAM) at 32 weeks into his mum Hayley’s pregnancy. CPAM is a rare condition that affects how a baby’s lungs develop before birth, leading to abnormal cysts or tissue forming in part of the lung. These changes can make breathing difficult after delivery. As a result, Eden was born at Liverpool Women’s Hospital with a specialist team on hand to support his breathing.
After four days, Eden was discharged home but at just 13 days old he became acutely unwell. An x-ray showed the mass had now grown to fill his entire right lung and he was rushed to Alder Hey.
A CT scan showed that Eden’s left lung and heart had been pushed across his chest because of the cyst. Emergency surgery was needed to remove the cyst and the lower right lobe of his lung, with the successful operation taking over six hours.
After 72 hours in the intensive care unit, he was weaned off breathing support but had difficulty with his lung healing, suffering a collapsed lung four times, resulting in him needing two chest drains.
However, after three weeks in Alder Hey, Eden was discharged home in October 2025. Now four months old, he has recovered well and is now healthy and thriving. His lung has already started growing back and he has enjoyed spending quality time with his grandparents and loves giggling away with grandad.
Professor Ian Sinha, Alder Hey consultant respiratory paediatrician, said: “As respiratory paediatricians, we meet parents of babies born with lung malformations, and they’re understandably worried. We’re lucky to work in a place where we can honestly tell them they are in the best place and in the safe hands of some of the best paediatric thoracic surgeons in the world. Mr Roland Partridge and his team did a wonderful job with little Eden, and it’s a privilege to work with them.”
I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart that you saved my little boy and we are starting 2026 with a healthy, giggling boy.”
Eden’s mum, Hayley
Our new Surgical NICU, due to open in 2026, will benefit families just like Eden’s. Newborn babies and their families will be cared for by specialist staff, including consultant neonatologists, consultant neonatal surgeons, advanced nurse practitioners and specialist neonatal nurses. The brand-new state-of-the-art unit will be the first of its kind in the country, providing family integrated care and a safer service for babies. It will feature 22 neonatal cots and 18 individual family rooms, where parents can also stay alongside their poorly babies whilst they receive expert care.