Burdekin family’s newborn receives keyhole surgery at just three days old

At just three-days-old Zaleyah Codega was the first newborn in Townsville to undergo a life-saving surgery. HER STORY

Kris and Natalie Codega with bay Zaleyah.

At just three-days-old Zaleyah Codega made history, as the first newborn to undergo a lifesaving surgery at Townsville University Hospital following a “terrifying” diagnosis.

Now four-months-old, Zaleyah was born on Valentine’s Day this year and was only three days old when she was taken in for keyhole surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).
A rare condition where a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move into the chest, CDH affects one in 3000 babies.

Zaleyah Codega.

Her parents Kris and Natalie, from the Burdekin, first learnt of their daughters condition during a 30-week scan.

“It was a terrifying moment, and we automatically turned to doctor google and the internet to make sense of the diagnosis,” Mr Codega said.

The Codega family in the Townsville University Hospital's NICU.

Meeting with the surgical and neonatal intensive care teams at the Townsville University Hospital, it was decided that Zaleyah would be a “strong candidate” for keyhole surgery.

Her parents said watching their days-old baby be taken into surgery was “the hardest moment” of their lives.

“We felt completely helpless,” Mr Codega said.

“But hours later, we received the news that the surgery was a success.”

The surgery was completed by TUH pediatric surgeon Dr Janani Krishnan, with assistance by pediatric surgeon Dr Brendan O’Connor and director of pediatric surgery Dr Harry Stalewski.

Dr Janani Krishnan being awarded the Vision award by Minister Tim Nicholls.

For her work, Dr Krishnan was recently awarded the prestigious ‘Vision’ award at the 2025 Townsville Hospital and Health Service staff excellence awards and said the procedure was an exciting step in the advancement of health care in the region.

“This was the first case done thoracoscopically in a newborn and we made sure to involve the family in every step of the process and educate them early on about what to expect,” Dr Krishnan said.

“Zaleyah was breathing on her own within days and due to the keyhole technique, her recovery which could have meant months in the NICU, was just two and a half weeks.”

Her parents said the support and care from the staff and surgeons was “beautiful”.

Zaleyah and her sister Ariah at the Townsville University Hospital's NICU.

“There wasn’t one part of the entire process that we weren’t comfortable with,” Mrs Codega said.

Being able to stay in Townsville, Mr Codega said it made all the difference not having to be far away from their older daughter Ariah.

“We never had to leave Zaleyah’s side throughout her recovery period, and it felt like being at home,” he said.

“We hope that Zaleyah’s story will lead to more north Queensland families like us receiving lifesaving care for their children locally.”

Originally published as Burdekin family’s newborn receives keyhole surgery at just three days old