Seven-month-old Kentucky boy who weighs three pounds born with rare form of dwarfism

June 2024 ยท 4 minute read

A seven-month-old baby boy from Kentucky who weighs just over three pounds was born with a rare form of dwarfism.

Matthew Riddle III from Louisville has a rare condition called microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type two (MOPDII), also known as primoridal dwarfism.

With many of his clothes coming from a Build-A-Bear or from dolls, many often mistake Matthew for a newborn.

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Seven-month-old Matthew Riddle III from Kentucky (pictured wit his parents) weighs just over three pounds. He was born with a rare form of dwarfism

Seven-month-old Matthew Riddle III from Kentucky (pictured wit his parents) weighs just over three pounds. He was born with a rare form of dwarfism

Matthew has a rare condition called microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type two (MOPDII), also known as primoridal dwarfism

Matthew has a rare condition called microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type two (MOPDII), also known as primoridal dwarfism

'They think that he was just born,' Jenevieve Cook, Matthew's mother told WLKY.

'We get, "Was he just born 5 minutes ago?" Or, "Was he preemie?" Or, "Why is he so small?"'

Matthew is now in California undergoing treatment to further prevent strokes and brain aneurysms, common in those with the condition, according to the station.

He underwent his first surgery last week and will undergo a second one due to strokes and seizures he has been having that come from a disease called moyamoya, according to a Gofundme page set up for him.

Moyamoya is a progressive cerebrovascular disorder caused by blocked arteries at the base of the brain.

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Share His mother was induced at 28 weeks with Matthew weighing just one pound and two ounces when he was born

His mother was induced at 28 weeks with Matthew weighing just one pound and two ounces when he was born

He is now in California undergoing treatment to prevent strokes and brain aneurysms, common in those with the condition

He is now in California undergoing treatment to prevent strokes and brain aneurysms, common in those with the condition

His family is hoping the surgeries will 'create new path ways to try to get blood to the brain.' 

Doctors first noticed Matthew was not growing properly when Cook was pregnant with him.

She was induced at 28 weeks with Matthew weighing just one pound and two ounces when he was born. 

After spending 98 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), he was finally discharged but with an unclear diagnosis. 

Cook noted when Matthew was sent home, doctors said he had microcephaly, a condition in which a baby's head is smaller than expected often due to abnormal brain development.

After Matthew was born, he spent 98 days in the neonatal intensive care unit before he was discharged with an unclear diagnosis. His mother (Jenevieve Cook pictured) said they were later told he had microcephaly and that his brain had stopped growing

After Matthew was born, he spent 98 days in the neonatal intensive care unit before he was discharged with an unclear diagnosis. His mother (Jenevieve Cook pictured) said they were later told he had microcephaly and that his brain had stopped growing

However, nearly three months later they received results from an exome test that revealed his MOPDII diagnosis.

However, nearly three months later they received results from an exome test that revealed his MOPDII diagnosis.

She said they were also told his brain had stopped growing.

'We were told Matthew would not live very long, to not expect value of life,' Cook told WLKY.

However, nearly three months later they received results from an exome test that revealed his MOPDII diagnosis.

'We were told Matthew would walk, he would talk, he would go to school, he would just be extraordinarily small,' Cook told WLKY.

With his surgeries this month, the family is sharing his story and awareness of his condition with the hopes of teaching others that being different is not a bad thing.

The family said after receiving Matthew's MOPDII diagnosis they were told he would walk, talk and go to school, he would just be extraordinarily small. He is pictured with his dad above

The family said after receiving Matthew's MOPDII diagnosis they were told he would walk, talk and go to school, he would just be extraordinarily small. He is pictured with his dad above

The family is sharing his story and awareness of his condition with the hopes of teaching others that being different is not a bad thing. This month is also Dwarfism Awareness Month

The family is sharing his story and awareness of his condition with the hopes of teaching others that being different is not a bad thing. This month is also Dwarfism Awareness Month

This month is also Dwarfism Awareness Month.

His family, including Matthew's two older brothers, is trying to ensure his life is as normal as possible.

'Matthew will be just like everybody else,' Cook said.

'He'll be out there throwing the ball like a regular kid, he's just extra small, there is nothing wrong with just being different.'

In the meantime, his family, including Matthew's two older brothers, is trying to ensure his life is as normal as possible

In the meantime, his family, including Matthew's two older brothers, is trying to ensure his life is as normal as possible

His Gofundme page has already collected $2,818 in donations.

'You would be part of something that will give our son a longer life,' a note said on the page.

'He is a blessing and he has a way of bringing the best out in people.'

http://www.wlky.com/article/louisville-baby-boy-with-rare-dwarfism-is-on-big-journey/7748496

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