Premature Birth, - Brain Haemorrhage, - Ventriculitis, - Meningitis.

Today we welcomed a two and a half year old little boy back for his 5th assessment. He had been born 12 weeks early with fluid on the brain, a brain bleed on both sides, ventriculitis, and he contracted ecoli bacterial meningitis at 8 days old. He nearly died, he was having bad seizures, so much that his body was jerking off the bed and his mum and dad were told there would be long term effects of this meningitis as he was so sick. Unfortunately he got meningitis another TWO times. He had an MRI which showed brain damage and unfortunately he had to have a shunt fitted as the third bout of meningitis finally cleared up. The hydrocephalus was very severe and neurosurgeon mentioned more brain damage. As you may imagine, the prognosis for someone who has been through that level of neurological trauma is not good. So today was a joyous day because after 2 years on the programme we were able to discharge him as completely well! He now has the developmental profile which someone of his age who is uninjured would have and he is hitting all his milestones. He is indistinguishable from his twin brother. Well done to mum and dad, you rescued him!