Baby Boy Born With a Massive Neck Tumor That Threatened His First Breath Celebrates His First Birthday

For most parents, hearing their newborn baby’s first cry is a moment of overwhelming happiness. But for Juliana Soriano, doctors feared her little boy might not even be able to take his first breath.

During pregnancy, specialists discovered that her unborn son, Jay’ce, had developed a large mass on his neck that threatened to obstruct his airway immediately after delivery.

His survival would depend on an extraordinary medical procedure performed before he was fully born.

A Frightening Discovery Before Birth

Juliana was just 18 years old and expecting her first child when doctors identified the unusual mass growing on the right side of her baby’s neck.

The growth measured approximately six centimeters, creating serious concerns about whether Jay’ce would be able to breathe independently after birth.

Specialists at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, began preparing a carefully coordinated delivery plan.

Simply delivering the baby and attempting treatment afterward could leave dangerously little time to establish his airway.

Doctors Perform a Rare Procedure During Delivery

To protect Jay’ce, the medical team performed a specialized procedure known as EXIT, short for ex utero intrapartum treatment.

During the operation, doctors partially delivered the baby while maintaining his connection to the placenta through the umbilical cord.

This allowed him to continue receiving oxygen while specialists worked to secure his airway.

Only after the necessary intervention could the delivery be completed and Jay’ce transferred for specialist neonatal care.

The unusual procedure gave doctors precious time to address a potentially life-threatening complication without immediately removing the baby’s placental oxygen supply.

A Family Finally Gets to Hold Their Little Boy

For Juliana and her family, the experience transformed what should have been an ordinary delivery into a frightening medical journey.

After receiving treatment, Jay’ce began his recovery under the care of neonatal specialists.

His family remained grateful to the doctors whose preparation and coordinated efforts had helped him survive the dangerous circumstances surrounding his birth.

One Year Later, a Beautiful Milestone

In October 2026, Jay’ce and his family returned to the hospital to celebrate his first birthday and thank the medical professionals who had cared for him.

His family described him as a happy and healthy little boy, a remarkable contrast to the uncertainty they faced before his delivery.

His grandmother, Silvia Soriano, expressed her gratitude for the child she considers a blessing.

For Juliana, watching her son reach his first birthday was especially meaningful after learning that a mass on his neck could have prevented him from breathing at birth.

Jay’ce’s journey highlights the importance of prenatal diagnosis, specialist medical care and carefully planned interventions for babies facing complex congenital conditions.

What began with a frightening discovery during pregnancy has become a story of survival, family love and a first birthday worth celebrating.

Sources: WSVN 7News and Hoodline, October 2026. Reporting on Jay’ce Soriano’s first birthday following EXIT surgery at Memorial Regional Hospital, Florida.