Condition of 6 Septuplets Worsened by Lung Ailment

The condition of the six surviving Frustaci septuplets worsened slightly today as they battled serious new medical complications, a Childrens Hospital of Orange County physician said.

At least three of the babies, born Tuesday morning, are now suffering from a condition that floods the lungs with blood, said Dr. Carrie Worcester, director of Childrens Hospital neonatal intensive care unit.

Worcester said the newest complication is predictable with such tiny infants--all weigh less than two pounds--as is a severe lung disease diagnosed shortly after their birth Tuesday.

Had Taken Fertility Drugs

Seven babies were born to Patti Frustaci, a 30-year-old Riverside schoolteacher, between 8:19 a.m. and 8:22 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, which is adjacent to Childrens Hospital. The last baby, a girl, was stillborn. Frustaci had taken fertility drugs.

Worcester said the new complication involves an opening between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. The connection normally closes soon after birth in full-term babies and the condition is common in extremely small babies, she said.

“It’s a serious complication, but anticipated,” Worcester said. The infants were being evaluated this morning, and the first treatment would be medication, she said.

If medication fails to control the condition, surgery will be required, but that is not yet planned, she said.

40 Weeks Is Normal

Frustaci was two days into her 29th week of pregnancy at the time of the birth. A normal, uncomplicated pregnancy lasts 40 weeks.

The babies range in weight from 1 pound, 1 ounce to 1 pound, 13 ounces and measure between 10 inches to 13 3/4 inches. All were officially listed in critical but stable condition this morning, unchanged from Tuesday.

The six babies also suffer from hyaline membrane disease, a common affliction in premature babies that makes their lungs tend to collapse when they take a breath because of a lack of a lubricating substance in the air sacs.

They all remain on respirators and are receiving periodic blood transfusions to keep their blood pressure up, Worcester said. The infants are also being bathed in light to ward off jaundice.

Activity ‘a Good Sign’

She termed the first 72 hours “critical” for the infants. However, the babies are active, which is a good sign, she said.

Patti Frustaci remained in good condition, said Tes Pane, director of obstetrical, gynecological and neonatal nursing at St. Joseph. The mother will be kept in the intensive care unit until Friday, Pane said, after which she will be able to visit her children.

“Patti is markedly improved today. . . . She is very thankful that everything is going as well as it is,” she said.