Matheryn Noavaratpong has now been cryogenically frozen. Picture: Motherboard Source: Supplied
A TODDLER has become the youngest person ever to be cryogenically frozen in the hope she will one day be revived.
The decision came after Matheryn Noavaratpong, 2, was removed from life support earlier this year following her death from brain cancer.
The youngster was first diagnosed with the illness after her parents — both doctors themselves — rushed her to Bangkok hospital when she failed to wake up last year.
Doctors discovered an 11 centimetre brain tumour and performed an operation to remove half the tumour.
After surgery, her parents were told their daughter had little chance of waking from her coma.
However, fate had other ideas and her father, Sahatorn Naovaratpong, was soon notified she had regained consciousness.
“We decided to fight against this cancer,” he told Motherboard.
The following months saw the tot undergo a number of surgeries that would see her lose 80 per cent of the left side of her brain.
Despite putting up a tough fight, the cancer eventually spread across the entirety of Matheryn’s brain.
“We realised it was the end,” he said.
“Among family and relatives, we played and held her before we relieved her from the life support system, released her heavy load off her shoulder at 18:18.”
Patients are immersed in liquid nitrogen. Picture: Alcor Source: Supplied
The vacuum insulated containers remain at -196°C. Picture: Alcor Source: Supplied
Before they made the decision, the family contacted the Alcor Life Extension Foundation — one of the largest organisations offering cryonics.
Medical Response Director Aaron Drake said the organisation accepted Matheryn as a patient.
“It was hoped that this young two-year-old girl was going to relocate to this hospital as her health declined so distance would be minimised,” he said.
“Unfortunately, her breathing declined more quickly than her doctors anticipated and two days before she was to fly to the US, she was placed on a ventilator, essentially eliminating the possibility for airline travel.”
This forced the team to perform the cryoprotective perfusion of Matheryn in Thailand before shipping her body back to America.
Mr Drake said Matheryn’s brain has been extracted and preserved in stainless steel, vacuum insulated container filled with liquid nitrogen.
Her body will be held in cryofreeze until a cure is found and means to regrow her body are discovered.
“It took a tremendous amount of logistical planning, but yes, we are very pleased with the results,” he said.
Despite a heartbreaking journey, the family are remaining positive.
“Her body has been cryopreserved in Arizona awaiting coming technology,” Mr Noavaratpong said.
Originally published as Youngest person cryogenically frozen