Vanellope Wilkins: the UK baby born with her heart outside her body

Vanellope Wilkins, born with her heart outside her chest, is first UK child to survive rare condition

Miracle Baby Operation
Vanellope Wilkins, whose heart is outside her chest, is treated at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester
(Image credit: NHS)

Baby Vanellope Hope Wilkins has survived a third operation after being born three weeks ago with her heart outside her body.

Vanellope’s condition, known as ectopia cordis, required three separate operations at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester. Her survival has been described as nothing short of a “miracle” as the hospital believes she is the first UK child with the rare condition to survive.

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