Prognosis Good for Baby Who Received New Heart

A 2-week-old infant who received a heart transplant remained in critical but stable condition Saturday at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

According to a family spokesman, doctors report that Robert (Robbie) Shinn is “doing better than expected.”

Robbie was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition in which part of the left side of the heart is defective and non-functional. He was slowly dying until Friday’s 4 1/2-hour transplant operation. Doctors said the child’s chances for a normal life are good.

For the next several weeks, doctors at the Loma Linda facility will monitor Robbie’s new heart function.

The baby’s father, Charles Shinn, is an officer with the Westminster Police Department, which is raising funds to help with the family’s expenses.

Officer Dave McDowell said the public’s response to the department’s plea for help has been impressive. “People are bringing in their checks and some are stopping our officers on the streets to ask about the baby,” he said.

Robbie’s surgery was the 142nd such operation performed at Loma Linda on an infant under the age of 6 months since 1985. About 82% of these babies have survived, hospital officials said.