21 weeker going home!!!

Published

Specializes in NICU.

all i can say is, we'd better open more nicu's if this is where we're going.

www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=437236&in_page_id=1774 - feb 19, 2007

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult SICU; open heart recovery.

I couldn't get the above link to work, but was able to find the article. Maybe this link will work better:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=437236&in_page_id=1774

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I'm glad for this family, but skeptical and dubious at the same time..... My understanding was that rudimentary alveoli didn't develop until the end of the 22nd week of gestation. Up until that point, all you have is non-ventilatable (sp?) terminal bronchioles. Either someone miscalculated their dates, or the UK has some way of ventilating 21 weekers effectively that we in the US haven't heard of. While some 22-23 weekers survive and do well, despite a long hospital course and various complications, the majority do not, and end up succumbing to infection or pulmonary death. Until we find a way to manage these 21 weekers, we need to carefully consider why we are doing this. Just because one survived, does this obligate the rest of the neonatal medical community to regularly attempt to resuscitate 21 weekers?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

Gotta agree with you Steve. And most likely this kiddo will have multiple long term problems. We follow up kids for 3 years and the few 22 weekers we have had that were "normal" at discharge aren't so great now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I've not ever had a baby less than 23+2. She lived for six MISERABLE weeks and finally said "screw this!" and died (at least according to me, that's what happened) Never off HFOV, never off Dopamine, no arterial access. I cannot even fathom 21+6 weeks. Such gelatiny.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This I believe this was in vitro so they know the date down to the time of day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
This I believe this was in vitro so they know the date down to the time of day.

That is my understanding too.

steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wouldn't revise resuscitation guidlines for one baby.

I see her release has been delayed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Level III NICU.

I think I read in an article about this baby that she was 21+6 PCA, wouldn't that make her what we would actually call a 23+6 PMA? Would that make a difference in survival?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's way too early!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

http://apnews.myway.com//article/20070220/D8ND49N01.html

Baby is in Florida!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I think I read in an article about this baby that she was 21+6 PCA, wouldn't that make her what we would actually call a 23+6 PMA? Would that make a difference in survival?

You know Kate, I think you're right! :uhoh21:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion