Infant with rare heart defect undergoes first surgery amid surrogate custody dispute

A baby born in Texas with hypoplastic left heart syndrome underwent the first of three required surgeries, known as the Norwood procedure, on Monday. The child, named Rumi by his parents, was born Wednesday and was deemed eligible for the operation after extensive examinations, according to the parents' attorney, Lee Budner.

"Rumi is now recuperating under the care of his parents and his medical team," Budner said, adding that the family will share no further health updates and seeks privacy during the child's recovery.

The condition, described by the Cleveland Clinic as rare and complex, typically requires additional surgeries at four to six months of age and again between 18 months and five years. The legal context stems from a dispute in which the parents, Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar, asked surrogate McKenna West to obtain an abortion after learning of the diagnosis. West refused, traveled to Texas for the birth, and was subsequently barred from contact with the infant by a Texas court order that also placed medical decision-making responsibility on the parents.

West's attorney, Lincoln Davis Wilson, has indicated an intention to challenge the court orders, arguing that Texas law designates the birth mother as the child's legal mother. Budner characterized West's custody claims as unfounded and said the parents intend to focus on the child's health while contesting the claims in court.