Harlem, N.Y. - Doctors at Harlem Hospital say the prognosis is good for one year old Kefin Bryan Jr., after undergoing five months of intensive reconstructive surgery for severe burns sustained in a fire accident in Kingston, Jamaica. He was brought to Harlem Hospital Center five months after the accident, where he recently celebrated his first birthday.

Kefin Bryan Jr., was left profoundly damaged after surviving third degree burns to over thirty-percent of his three month-old body. A surgical team of four led by Norman G. Morrison, M.D., Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Harlem Hospital Center operated on the child as soon as he arrived in New York in May of this year. Kefin's father, Kefin Bryan Sr. applauds the medical team, He says, "The care at Harlem Hospital Center is world class, and provided my son the best experience in medical care."

Harlem Hospital has one of only three designated burn centers in New York City, and doctors say the resources available at the Hospital was key to providing the critical care Kefin needed.

Although Kefin was recently discharged, Dr. Morrison says that the months ahead will be important for his overall recovery. As he grows older, doctors say he will need more rehabilitative treatment. "Further surgical procedures will be done to reconstruct the nose, lips, and ears. This needs to be done to give him a near normal appearance. Importantly, much work needs to be done to the right hand in order to give him some function. Fortunately, he is young, so he has the ability to adapt to whatever disability is permanent," adds Dr. Morrison.

According to Dr. Morrison, victims under age 4 or over age 60 have higher incidence of complications, and consequently a higher death rate. Burns to the face, hands, feet, and genitalia are most serious because of the possible loss of function, but there are good and effective surgical options for treating severe burns. At Harlem Hospital Center, "We recommend early graphing to third degree burns to decrease the incidence of infections, severe scarring, and deformity," Dr. Morrison confided.

In the U.S. about 2 million people suffer burns each year. Of these, 300, 000 are burned seriously and over 6, 000 are fatalities, making burns this nation's third largest cause of accidental death.

Dr. Morrison cautions, "Seek professional help for all burns, do not apply home remedies."

Mr. Byran says he is happy with the prognosis, he adds, "My child does not have the looks he was born with, but he is my child and I am glad Harlem Hospital Center was there for him."

Harlem Hospital is proud of the teams of health care professionals providing exemplary patient care and fostering excellence in health care delivery, research, and teaching.
Harlem Hospital is a member of the Generations Plus/Northern Manhattan Network, which also includes Metropolitan Hospital and the Lincoln Hospital and Mental Health Center.

Contact:

Sophia Johnson
Renelda Higgins Walker

Email: info@doc-online.org

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