Months after the birth of their newborn, the Jebbit family got the heartbreaking news of their son suffering from a rare condition known as craniosynostosis. The toddler later underwent a five-hour surgery where his skull was cracked open and then pierced back to treat the condition. Ever since then, the young Ronnie's mom lovingly calls her baby with the nickname "Humpty Dumpty"
#1 Reason behind nicknaming her toddler "Humpty Dumpty"
Ronnie Jebbitt, now 18 months, was born with craniosynostosis – a birth defect where the skull fuses before the brain have finished growing. Ronnie's mom named her baby Humpty Dumpty after her son's skull was cracked open and rebuilt to treat the rare condition.
If not treated on time, the child could have faced developmental issues when growing up.
#2 Ronnie is a brave kid who has fought his condition very well so far
The toddler underwent a fiver hour surgery where his skull was separated before it was sewed back. The operation happened a few months back and now Ronnie has recovered very well and has even started school.
Mom Harriet Alcock, 26, said, “Ronnie’s head was cracked open and pieced back together again – just like Humpty Dumpty in the nursery rhyme.
“I’d never heard of this condition before he was diagnosed. It really was the worst week of my life.
“But Ronnie is a little trooper and he has taken everything in his stride.
“He has bounced back really quickly from his surgery and is just like any other little boy his age.”
#3 Harriet faced complications during her son's delivery
In May 2017, Harriet learned that she was expecting her first child. The young mom was overjoyed with the news. But she faced complications in her pregnancy when Ronnie got stuck in Harriet’s pelvis during labour and she was rushed for an emergency C-section at Worthing Hospital.
#4 Diagnosed with craniosynostosis on his first birthday
When Ronnie was born he weighed 8lb 5oz. All was going well except his head's unusual shape. Later that year, Ronnie's dad noted his son having a seizure in the cot. Ronnie then suffered seven more seizures before he was diagnosed with craniosynostosis on his first birthday.
Ronnie's mom Harriet, who works as an accounting manager says that she never thought that her baby had a serious medical condition, "He came out fine – apart from having a funny-shaped head. Lots of babies do, so I didn’t think anything of it. But when he started having the seizures, each time it was slightly different and I knew it was something more serious."
#5 Ronnie's condition if left untreated could result in developmental issues too
Craniosynostosis is a medical condition where one or more of the fibrous joints between the bones in a baby’s skull fuses before the brain is properly formed. As the body grows, it gives a unique appearance to the head and in worst cases, it can also cause developmental issues.
#6 Ronnie may need to go through another surgery in the future but for now, he is doing pretty well
Harriet said, “The specialist took one look at him and knew exactly what he had. It was such a relief to have a diagnosis, but the thought of Ronnie going through that surgery was horrific.”
Harriet also thinks that her difficult delivery might be one reason her son suffered from such a condition. She says, “In hindsight, and speaking with other parents who have children with the same condition, the difficult delivery may have caused the problems with his skull but there is no definite way of knowing.
“Everything should be done now. He may need a second surgery, but for now everything seems fine.”
The happy mom said, “Ronnie is hitting all his milestones and he’s doing so well that he’s gone off to join the nursery with the other toddlers his age.”