Interesting cases anyone?

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I work in a medium size nonsurgical level III NICU so sometimes things get a little boring. Sure, on occasion we get a really interesting case, but for the most part it is preemie land. So does anyone have any interesting cases from NICU, PICU, or CICU? I know with all the privacy laws you can't give too many details. I recently heard of a case where a newborn contracted Legionnaires disease from a home water birth.

I really enjoyed when Janfrn would do her "case studies" as a topic. Hint, Hint ;)

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Specializes in NICU.

Woah, Legionnaire's dz? How did that newborn fare?

Hmm, I saw a baby with CHARGE syndrome delivered (and transported out). She had a lot of the classic symptoms associated with it. CHARGE syndrome - Genetics Home Reference

There was the ?30 week? kid who presented with a prolapsed cord to a mother who thought she JUST got pregnant, full code for 40 minutes, epi x4, boluses up the wazoo, who is now on room air, alert, and so far looks on track developmentally.

I'm pretty new still, so that's about all I've got for now.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I recently had a trisomy 9. Had her for 5 days. She was beautiful.

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Specializes in NICU.

Hold on, have to look that up.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

It was the first case ever on my unit, and the 2nd that the genetics doc had seen in a 40 year career. It led to one of the best moments in my NICU career...I cared for her for the 5 days of her life, and loved her. Was off when she died (on night shift). Her dad called me the day of her funeral, to thank me for loving his baby "even though everyone knew she was dying, you loved her anyway". My throat locked up...got something in my eye...had to go to break for a few minutes. Really appreciated that call.

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As far as I know the baby with Legionnare's disease didn't make it. I have always found the genetic anomalies and syndromes very interesting and of course sad. I have always wondered why some hang on and make it to term rather than being naturally miscarried by the Mother. I find genetics very fascinating and complex. Yea, haven't heard of Trisomy 9. Interesting. Glad you were able to make a difference in her life Bortaz!

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We seem to have a surplus of babies with syndromes in my unit. One of my least favorites so far has been pfeiffer syndrome. Those are some sad little babies! But the craziest baby that I have ever seen was a baby that was born with no eyes or eye sockets. It was very bizarre! He looked like he had a very long forehead that ended at his nose, which was distorted due to his cleft lip. I'm not sure what they decided was the cause, but he was the strangest baby I have ever seen.

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I don't work in a NICU but my youngest son was in one right after birth, he was full term but wouldn't take any feeding or water. One thing led to another and he was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome which occurs in about 1 out of every 12,000 live births. I'm still amazed at how it was all figured out. Wouldn't eat, very little muscle tone and crooked fingers were what they said made them test him... Not much to go on. I still know the name of my two favorite NICU nurses and that was 11 years ago. You all have a big impact on the families you are helping so thank you all!

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I like RN&mom don't work in a NICU neither, however I found myself in a similar situation. When my daughter was 3 days old she started vomiting everything she took in which was never more than an ounce, she fatigued very fast when she ate, her urine was very dark brown, she was also cyanotic around her mouth. When I took her to our pediatrician (after visiting the ED every night before and leaving with no answers), and found that her Calcium and potassium levels were no where close to what they should have been. He sent to a childrens hospital immediately. We came to find that her heart was enlarged 3x from the ventricular walls being overly thick. I was told when they did her intake that she was days or possibly minutes from cardiac arrest. She was given a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Here's the interesting part:

My daughter is now 4 and lives a completely normal life, she has no symptoms, or long term effects from this condition. to this day her cardiologist can not give me any answers of how or why these potentially life threatening condition just went away on its own. I just say she is my miracle baby!

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As a mom and a nurse (not NICU). My full term daughter, planned C section, absolutely textbook fetal heart tracing. Emerged ok, but with somehwat weak cry. NICU staff left because she looked ok. Sats plummeted to 30's, massive pulmonary hemorrhage(suctioning massive amts of blood, iced epi down the ET tube), left ventricular heart failure (no indications on prenatal ultrasounds). Saving grace was we were at hospital with level 3 NICU and pediatric cardiologist happened to be in the building. She was off vent in 48 hrs. Was told that if she survived she would have brain damage, seizures, etc. Everything resolved on its' own. No reason ever found. MRI of the brain at 2 weeks old completely normal. I was told by Neonatologist that if she survived just don't ask why it happened because we will never know. I am incredibly lucky. She is happy, healthy, developmentally fine. Maybe there is something to be said for the power of prayer.

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I feel this nurse in the NICU has outlasted her time. She needs a change of venue----individual babies have become text book cases! Perhaps research or a higher degree in nursing to be able to teach. Not all nurses can or should be bedside nurses. These are real babies we are talking about, with parents who are mourning them. It takes a special nurse to care for them, perhaps one who has had children of her own.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Message received, Humbled_Nurse. Stay tuned.

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