The Decibel To save this baby, doctors had to kill part of her brain
Jun 6, 2025
Jennifer Yang, a health sciences reporter for The Globe, delves into the remarkable story of Maryam Fatima, who was born with hemimegalencephaly. Yang shares insights from medical experts who performed a groundbreaking surgery to disconnect part of Maryam's brain in a life-saving effort. The podcast reveals the emotional journey of Maryam's family, their immigration from India to Canada, and the innovative treatments they pursued. Listeners are taken through the challenges of her early battles with severe seizures and her inspiring path to recovery.
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Understanding Hemimegalencephaly
- Hemimegalencephaly causes one brain hemisphere to overgrow and blur normal brain structures.
- This abnormal growth leads to disorganized neurons causing persistent seizures that are hard to control.
Time is Brain in Epilepsy
- Uncontrolled seizures hijack a baby's brain energy, preventing normal development.
- Rapid treatment is critical because brain plasticity declines after age five or six, limiting recovery potential.
Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Definition
- Drug-resistant epilepsy means seizures do not respond to two or more medications.
- Miriam was on six medications, highlighting the severity and complexity of her condition.