David Brown spent the first weeks of his life struggling to survive in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Greater Baltimore Medical Center ? 29 years later his son faces the same challenge.
David and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed their son, Christopher James Brown, three months early and put his life in the hands of the NICU, just as Brown?s parentshad in 1976 when he was born six-weeks premature.
“We were all scared for his life, but the statistics for GBMC are very good and at that point there was no other option,” David said.
Christopher was born April 24 when doctors realized Jennifer had severe preeclampsia, a condition that would have endangered both their lives if he wasn?t delivered immediately. Christopher weighed a dangerous 1 1/2 pounds at birth.
Maria Pane, a neonatologist treating Christopher, said his underdeveloped lungs needed the assistance of a respirator.
“His lungs have progressed, but he still has a long way to go,” she said.
Pane said Christopher?s underdeveloped brain was monitored closely for broken blood vessels, and he was lucky to have no significant neurological damage.
Christopher?s small size meant caloric intake was crucial, but bottle or breast feeding wasn?t an option. A tube pumped milk directly into his stomach.
Now almost 8 weeks old, Christopher has gained three pounds and took his first bottle Tuesday. David said they can see Christopher any time, but can only hold him once a day because he?s fragile.
“My mom couldn?t hold me for six weeks; she could only look at me through a window,” David said.
With technological advancements in the NICU, treatment has improved since David?s premature birth.
Pane said a baby as small as Christopher would not have survived 29 years ago.
“We have made many advancements in treating preterm infants,” Pane said, “but we still can?t prevent prematurity.”
Jennifer could not see the baby for nine days, because she was still recovering from the delivery and complications, but David said, “She?s 100 percent now and doing great.”
Christopher will stay in the NICU until his due date in July, because he still has trouble breathing and his heartrate is unstable. Pane said he needs to be able to breathe, eat and adjust his body temperature on his own before he can go home.
“We can?t wait to bring him home. He started getting baby fat and wrinkles. He just gets cuter,” David said.
The Browns plan to spend Father?s Day participating in the 18th Annual GBMC Father?s Day 5K/1.5 Mile Fun Run to raise money for the 500 infants treated in GBMC?s NICU each year.
Pane said Christopher should pass all major medical milestones between the first and second year of his life.
“We have every expectation that this baby will develop into a healthy child and will be back here in a few years running in our 5K race.”
David is confident too.
“I used to think we wouldn?t be celebrating Father?s Day this year, so we?re pretty excited.”
