Baby who was burned in hospital out of coma
(AP) - A newborn who was burned when a fire broke out under his oxygen hood at a hospital is out of a drug-induced coma but remains in critical condition, his family's lawyer said.
The boy, who's been identified only by his first and middle names - Maverick Thomas - has opened his eyes a few times, attorney Chris Messerly said Monday. The boy's pain medication has been reduced, but his parents still can't hold him because of his injuries.
Maverick is likely to remain hospitalized for at least a month, Messerly said. Doctors are considering whether to perform skin grafts.
The boy was born three weeks premature and was only 12 hours old when he was burned at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids.
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Nurses quickly put out the fire, but he suffered second- and third-degree burns on nearly 18 percent of his body, including his scalp, shoulders, hands and cheek. The cause remains under investigation.
Maverick was transferred to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he remains in the newborn intensive care unit. His last name, and the names of his parents, who live near Elk River, have not been released.
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A fund has been set up for the infant: The Maverick Thomas Fund, Wells Fargo Bank, 80 S. 8th St., Suite 281, Minneapolis, MN 55402.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)