Prematurity Awareness Month: Celebrating Tiny Miracles

According to March of Dimes, about one in 10 babies in the United States is born preterm each year. Preterm babies may not be fully developed at birth. They can have more health problems and may need to stay in the hospital longer than babies born later. Because of advances in medical care, even babies born very preterm are more likely to survive today than ever before.

Pediatrix® Medical Group has been a trusted provider of specialized care for premature and critically ill newborns for 45 years. Every day, miracles happen in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across the country thanks in part to our team of highly skilled and dedicated clinicians, whose greatest joy is seeing their patients not only survive but thrive.

In honor of Prematurity Awareness Month, we're highlighting heartwarming success stories of some of our tiniest patients who recently celebrated significant milestones following long, complicated NICU journeys.

The DeArmond Triplets

Dutton, Rainey and Rowyn DeArmond were born prematurely at 27 weeks at UMC Children's Hospital in Lubbock, Texas. Rainey weighed just under a pound at 15.5 ounces and brother Dutton and sister Rowyn weighed two pounds each. They spent several months in the NICU under the care of Melissa Piepkorn, M.D., and the team at Pediatrix® Neonatology of Texas. Dutton and Rowyn flourished and were discharged after three months, while Rainey developed pneumonia and blood pressure issues and stayed a month longer. The triplets celebrated their first birthday in March.

"They've come a long way," said mom Laci. "I never thought we would get to where we are and I'm so thankful. Looking back on all the doctors and the nurses and just the whole situation, God lined up everyone in our life. It's really amazing - it's a miracle. I'm so lucky to have known Dr. Piepkorn and the UMC NICU team, they're incredible."

See more of the DeArmond's story as featured on KAMC News.

Kane Nash

Kane Nash was born at 23 weeks at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, weighing 15 ounces, less than a pound. He was an unexpected blessing as mom Amber was told she couldn't have children after overcoming ovarian cancer at a young age. Kane spent nearly six months in the NICU under the care of Lisa McGill-Vargas, M.D., and the team at Pediatrix® Neonatology of Eastern Washington. He overcame pneumonia; necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), an intestinal disease; and a brain bleed. Kane celebrated his first birthday in July.

"They gave me a gift I never thought I'd have," said Amber. "They were able to keep me hopeful, to keep me positive, to keep me with realistic expectations and I owe them so much."

See more of Kane's story as featured on KHQ Local News.

Blake Koch

Blake Koch was born at 24 weeks at the Children's Hospital of Savannah in Georgia weighing under a pound at 15 ounces. Blake spent four months in the NICU under the care of Bradley Buckler, M.D., and the team Pediatrix® Neonatology of Georgia. She overcame multiple complications and subsequent surgeries, including NEC and retinopathy of prematurity, an eye disease. Blake turned five in February and started kindergarten in August.

"The staff were absolutely wonderful explaining everything; I never felt like any question was too much or they were too busy," said mom Laura. "We immediately felt comfortable in the NICU, as much as you can. We felt she was getting the best care that she could." Dad Kevin added, "At the same time, they encouraged us to be there as much as possible, because they taught us how to care for her. We were there 24/7."

The Whorton Twins

Henry and Hudson Whorton were born at 24 weeks at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas, weighing just under two pounds. They spent more than 100 days in the NICU under the care of Maria Bautista-Navarro, M.D., Abhinav Pal, M.D., and the team at Pediatrix® Neonatology of Topeka. The twins conquered several complications. Hudson had a patent ductus arteriosus, a heart defect, and Henry had bleeding into the lung and brain. They celebrated their first birthday in June.

"All of the neonatologists were great about walking us through what things could look like for our NICU stay," said mom Alexis. "They helped us see that those good days were [in fact] good days, and we celebrated all the little wins that we could."

See more of Henry and Hudson's story as featured on WIBW-TV.

Iann Ledesma

Iann Ledesma was born at 22 weeks weighing a pound. He spent six months in the NICU at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, under the care of Chanda Simpson, M.D., and the team at Pediatrix® Neonatology of Texas. He overcame many complications, including an esophageal perforation; NEC; chronic lung disease; aspiration pneumonia due to gastroesophageal reflux disease; and oral aversion resulting in gastrostomy tube feeding. Iann turned one in March.

"He was just an amazing baby; he would kind of listen to Dr. Simpson," said mom Giselle.

"Everywhere I go, they look at his history, and they look at him and they look at his history again, and they say, 'I would not be able to tell that this baby was a 22-weeker' just by his history on paper but other than that, everybody says 'he looks great, he's the best 22-weeker I've ever seen.'"

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