Infant With Transplanted Heart Taken Off Critical List : Recovery: Doctors are encouraged by Robbie Shin’s progress and have removed the ventilator that helped him breathe.

The condition of the 2-week-old infant who underwent a heart transplant on Friday improved from critical to serious Tuesday, Loma Linda University Medical Center officials said.

Robert (Robbie) Shinn’s steady improvement prompted his doctors to upgrade his condition and remove the ventilator that helped him breathe. Today he may be taken off the kidney dialysis machine.

“He is doing real well,” said Robbie’s father, Chuck Shinn, who along with his wife, Renee, has been at their baby’s bedside each day since his birth June 28. “He no longer has tubes down his throat. . . . He was tired this morning because he has never really breathed on his own before.”

Spokesman Dick Schaefer said it is routine for an infant who has undergone major surgery to remain in critical but stable condition for several days. Doctors are encouraged by Robbie’s progress but are watching closely for signs that the body is accepting the donated heart.

“That is the only thing now that could raise its ugly head,” Schaefer said. “He is really going strong.”

Robbie was born with a malformed heart that could not circulate oxygenated blood properly. Before a donor was found last week, it was a matter of time before his defective heart tired and quit.

It is hoped that Robbie can be released from the hospital within the next two weeks to a month. But for the first year of recovery at home, Robbie will be kept in close proximity to the hospital for routine tests and monitoring.

His parents, who live in Midway City, are preparing to rent an apartment within walking distance of the hospital in San Bernardino County. They also will have to be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other medical procedures before their baby will be allowed to be taken home.

To help defray costs, the Westminster Police Officers Assn. has initiated a donation fund to help the family with rent costs. So far they have collected almost $1,000 in donations from the community.

“Anything left over from the collection will go to other parents who may have to go through this,” McDowell said.

The family’s insurance will cover the cost of the heart surgery and any related medical treatment.

Contributions to the Robbie Shinn Fund can be made by calling (714) 892-6373.