A baby from Barcelona survives thanks to the world's smallest pacemaker

A pioneering intervention at Sant Joan de Déu saves a newborn girl’s life. The device, only two centimetres long, marks a medical milestone in the city. The girl will be able to lead a normal life after overcoming a serious heart abnormality.

The news has shaken the medical community and many families in Barcelona: a newborn girl has managed to overcome a serious heart abnormality thanks to the implantation of the world’s smallest pacemaker at Sant Joan de Déu hospital. The case highlights medical advances that can change the fate of the most vulnerable people in the city.

During the second trimester of pregnancy, specialists detected that the girl’s heart was beating more slowly than normal, threatening to cause a lack of oxygen and blood. After weeks of monitoring, the situation worsened and doctors decided to bring the birth forward to early February. As soon as she was born, the little girl had severe bradycardia and required a temporary pacemaker in her first hours of life.

A few days later, the medical team found a permanent solution: a device barely two centimetres long, three times smaller than usual ones. The intervention was a success and, after just twenty days in hospital, the girl was able to go home in good condition. Doctors say she will be able to enjoy a normal life, with regular check-ups to monitor her progress.

Sant Joan de Déu hospital, located in Esplugues de Llobregat, is a benchmark in paediatrics and children’s surgery in Barcelona and throughout Catalonia. Its multidisciplinary team has led numerous pioneering interventions, particularly in paediatric cardiology. The centre stands out for its capacity for innovation and for offering comprehensive care to families facing complex medical situations from birth.