PICU Basics and Preventing Post Intensive Care Syndrome

What is Iron-Deficiency Anemia? Iron-deficiency anemia is a condition that happens when there isn’t enough iron in the body. An infant or child with anemia has a lower number of red blood cells (RBCs), and RBCs contain hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin), a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body. The body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Without enough iron, less hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells are produced, which leads to anemia. Unlike some types of anemia, iron-deficiency anemia (also called “IDA”) can be prevented. It’s also relatively easy to treat with things like iron supplements and dietary changes. Preventing IDA Symptoms and Screenings for IDA As part of routine wellness, you should have your child screened for anemia at the 12-month and 24-month well-child visits. If your child is showing signs of iron-deficiency anemia, ask your pediatrician to screen your child for anemia. Common symptoms a child may exhibit include would be things like: […]

Like many expectant parents, Arlo’s parents couldn’t wait to find out the sex of their baby. When Carlie was 12 weeks pregnant, they opted to get NIPT bloodwork done to find out as soon as possible. When their blood screening came back, Arlo’s parents were surprised to find out that their baby boy had a 98% chance of having Down Syndrome. “Of course, we were shocked,” says Carlie, “But knowing about our baby’s condition only helped solidify the fact that he was so wanted and so loved—extra chromosome and all.” “From the moment we got the phone call with our diagnosis, through the rest of my pregnancy and now, we have been beyond blessed with amazing doctors, nurses, and therapists,” says Carlie. “The Down Syndrome Clinic at Nemours has been a beautiful addition to Arlo’s village. We feel like they are truly there for us, not as just another patient, […]

You may have seen in the news recently—in stories airing on NBC, and published in The Philadelphia Inquirer[PA1]  and USA Today—, the extraordinary study conducted by researchers at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. The study revealed that at least 10 babies have what doctors believe to be a new syndrome related to exposure to fentanyl in the womb. Erin Wadman, LCGC, Karen Gripp, MD, and Erica Fernandes, DO, along with their colleagues, published their findings in Genetics in Medicine Open. Get to know the women behind this groundbreaking research here:  What inspired you to pursue this research study? Wadman: The opportunity presented itself to me from working in outpatient genetics and the Cleft and Craniofacial clinic. I was noticing a pattern of patients who had similar physical differences but who also had no genetic diagnosis on genetic testing. All these patients had significant exposures to fentanyl during the pregnancy. From there, we knew we were on […]