When Bethany and Gazi Lame were expecting their first baby, doctors in Albania diagnosed Luka with a bladder outlet obstruction, known as posterior urethral valves (PUV), at the 17-week ultrasound appointment.
Posterior urethral valves are a rare congenital (born with) malformation that affects the urinary tract of only male infants occurring in about 1 in 5,000 to 8,000 births. The obstruction causes the inability to produce sufficient urine, leading to low levels of amniotic fluid which can interfere with a baby’s normal lung development.
Unfortunately, Bethany and Gazi were told by their doctors in Albania that babies with this condition don’t survive outside the womb. Reeling from the shock and sadness, they became determined to find the best care for their son. They soon discovered Cincinnati Children’s Fetal Care Center. From diagnosis to NICU care and even long-term follow-up, all of baby Luka’s medical needs could be addressed under one roof.
Thanks to the expert care they received, he is living up to the meaning of his name, “bringer of light.” Watch Luka shine in this 3-minute video.
