Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Baby Ryan Makes Progress

From Staff And Wire Reports

A Spokane newborn whose ailments triggered medical and legal battles last month continues to improve at a Portland hospital.

Ryan Nguyen, who is nearly 12 weeks old, remains in fair condition in the neonatal special care unit at Legacy Emanuel Children’s Hospital.

Born premature, the infant’s weight has climbed to 10 pounds 14 ounces, an increase of nearly 3 pounds since he was transferred to Portland on Dec. 13.

Ryan was born Oct. 27 at Spokane’s Sacred Heart Medical Center with no kidney function.

The baby’s parents went to court last month to stop Sacred Heart from discontinuing kidney dialysis after doctors there forecast no chance of survival.

Portland doctors removed Ryan from dialysis nearly a month ago and are feeding him intravenously.

“He’s doing really well,” hospital spokesman Sue Klein said. “But he’s not going to be (discharged) for awhile.”