Hugs For Noah, An Amazing Case Of Brain Growth

Noah Wall’s story is truly amazing, as it is a case of brain growth from an anatomical point of view. A fact like this represents a scientific curiosity, but beyond this, it also opens up immense horizons compared to what is known about the human brain.

Simply put, this amazing case of brain growth involves an English boy named Noah Wall, who was born with only 2% of his brain. That he has survived is already an unusual fact, but the most incredible thing of all is that over the years, and thanks to the care and treatments, he managed to develop up to 80% of normal brain volume.

Added to this already fantastic case of brain growth is the struggle her parents have fought in the background. They, and in particular the mother, are the reason that this British child is alive and is an example that some limits exist only in the mind. This is a case of foolproof faith, effort and perseverance.

The Noah case

Shelly Wall wanted a child more than anything in the world. That is why she was happy when they told her she was going to be a mother. The happiness did not last long, for after a careful examination they gave him terrifying news. Her son  suffered from a severe case of spina bifida; this meant that the two lines of the fetus’ spine had not closed.

This was not the only bad news. Doctors found that the little boy had a brain tumor and that it had prevented the gray matter from developing. In the brain there was basically liquid. The advice of the doctors was to provoke an abortion, since there was no way to correct these serious anomalies. What awaited this new being was a life full of limitations.

In fact, the most likely thing was that the child would not survive the delivery. And if he did, he would have to carry severe physical and mental disabilities for life. Shelly and her husband Rob discussed it and concluded that they would continue the pregnancy. At the same time, they began to prepare the funeral for the child who was on the way.

A case of brain growth

Doctors respected the couple’s decision, but also issued a “do not resuscitate order.” That is, the prohibition to apply emergency measures if Noah stopped breathing at birth. On March 6, 2012, Shelly underwent a cesarean section , assisted by 12 doctors.

The baby was immediately taken to the operating room to repair the spina bifida and drain the cerebrospinal fluid that populated most of his head. To everyone’s surprise, the boy not only survived, but the operation was a complete success.

Noah’s childhood has been marked by doctors, surgeries, hospital visits, and his parents’ ongoing struggle to care for him and help him grow. The little boy underwent neurophysical therapy, which combines physical therapy, cognitive exercises and physical activity. In the end, they achieved what they set out to do: Noah had brain growth.

A world of hope

Noah’s breakthrough came during his first three years of life. It is not clear to neurologists how a small portion of the brain manages to learn the functions of other parts and eventually brain growth occurs. Surprisingly, Noah’s case has not been specially studied by science.

The truth is that the little one managed to complete 80% of the brain volume and became a child almost the same as the others. We say “almost” because he has not yet regained movement in his limbs, although he publicly celebrated the moment when he was able to move one leg.

The experience for parents has been hard, but also exhilarating. To share their experience they opened a blog called “Hugs for Noah.” The neurologist who attended the case, Claire Nicholson, highlights the boy’s desire to live. He defined it by saying that he was: “an extraordinary boy with two extraordinary parents.”