Pregnant Teen Faces Rare Fetal Teratoma, Survives Complex Birth and Ongoing Care

During a routine growth scan, ultrasound technician identified an abnormal mass in the fetus of 22-year-old TiLiyah Dawson, a recent Swainsboro High School graduate from Georgia. Follow-up imaging confirmed a teratoma—a rare germ-cell tumor that can contain bone, muscle and hair. The condition occurs in roughly one in every 35,000–40,000 births and is the most common tumor diagnosed in newborns. As the tumor enlarged, vaginal delivery was deemed too risky; Dawson was transferred from Statesboro to Augusta, placed under anesthesia, and delivered via cesarean section. She was unable to see or hold her daughter immediately after birth.

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Neonatologists performed surgery to remove the teratoma, which was later determined to be non-cancerous. The tumor’s location caused airway collapse, necessitating a tracheotomy and feeding tube. Over the next two years, Tyra underwent multiple procedures, including repeated bronchoscopies under anesthesia, tracheostomy tube removal, and feeding-tube extraction. In January, surgeons closed a small neck opening left from the tumor resection, and speech therapy was initiated to aid language development.

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Teratomas are uncommon but carry significant perinatal risks when large. Complications can include airway obstruction, hemorrhage, and the need for high-risk surgical delivery. Early detection, as in Dawson’s case, allows for planned cesarean delivery and prompt neonatal surgery, improving survival odds.

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At two years old, Tyra is progressing well. She continues regular check-ups and speech therapy, and the residual neck opening remains small and slated for final closure. Dawson says the experience reshaped her life, prompting her to share the story to help other families facing similar challenges.

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• “My life after school has literally been parenting,” — Parenting Dawson

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• “I had gone in for an ultrasound with my mom and my little sister,” — Parenting Dawson

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• “I didn't get to see her or hold her after she was born,” — Parenting Dawson

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• “It caused her airways to become floppy, which led to them giving her a tracheotomy to hold her airway open and a feeding tube to help her eat,” — Parenting Dawson

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• “There was surgery to place the trach and to place her feeding tube,” — Parenting Dawson

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• “She's doing great now, still has some checkup appointments and speech therapy, and the hole in her neck is still open, although it's small and will be closed soon,” — Parenting Dawson

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