what level of brain bleed means disability?

[meg]

I know they can range from 1-4. They did a head u/s of Ethan today and said he has one between 2-3 but that it could get worse b/c it hasnt stopped.[:(] Is there a level at which disability is probably going to occur?

Will 2-6-00 ( PE at 35 weeks)
Elizabeth 7-3-01 ( NO PE)
#3 EDD 10-25-04
Proud Aunt to Ethan born 27.5 weeks weighing 1lb 8 ounces! Our little fighter!

[julie f]

Meg,

Obviously I'm no doctor but, I just wanted to share a bit of my experience with you and what we were told, please just take it at face value. I'd really suggest going with your sister to talk with the NICU doctors, ours were incredibly helpful and explained things to me at least a hundred times - before and after mag...

Anyway, here is what we were told: On day 3, Zach developed a level 3 bleed. We were told that this was "not good" but, that they sometimes resolve themselves and are quite common in such premature babies. We were told however, that it greatly increased his chances of having some sort of developmental issues. The doctors said that this early in the game - they were not sure how severely he would be affected though - it could be something as minor as needing glasses or, as major as cerebral palsy. I wish so badly that I could remember the percentage that he gave us. To give you some good news about a level 3 though - I have a friend who had a 30 weeker develop a level 3 while in the NICU and is now a very healthy, happy and developmentally perfect little 3 year old.

After they found Zach's bleed they continued to monitor via ultrasounds to check for it's progression. I would assume they'll check Ethan again tomorrow?

Please update as soon as you know - thanks so much for keeping us posted. I know I check several times a day to see if there are any new updates. I'm praying as hard as I can for Ethan and your sister.

Julie (27)
Zachary James, 7/22/03-7/27/03, born at 26wks - severe pe

Southern California Coordinator

[josiah1112]

Hi Meg,

I hope little Ethan's brain will stop bleeding. I'm so
sorry your family has to go through this... We were told that
level 1 was the least damaging and level 4 the absolute worse.
We were also told that they do not reverse themselves. I
would suggest talking to various of the NICU doctors, that
way your sister and her husband can get more well rounded
professional opinions.

Please continue to keep us updated!




Gloria mom to Josiah 11/12/03- 12/4/03 @ 26wks pre e

[meg]

Thanks so much guys! The docs may very well be explaining things to them very well, in fact I think they are. The problem is that I live 3 hours away and I get half my info second hand. Sometimes she may just call my Mom, who then calls me, etc. And sometimes even when I talk to her myself I am afriad to ask certain things ( like could this procedure kill him, how disables will it make him ,etc. ) b/c she is already crying so bad and I dont want to make it any worse, KWIM? We are leaving in about 2 hours to go down there so maybe I will know a bit more.
BTW< they also have found something wrong with his intestines/colon. I am not really sure what but he has not pooped since birth ( not even the maconium).
Well, I wont be able to post this weekend until I get back Sun night. Thanks so much to you all!!

Will 2-6-00 ( PE at 35 weeks)
Elizabeth 7-3-01 ( NO PE)
#3 EDD 10-25-04
Proud Aunt to Ethan born 27.5 weeks weighing 1lb 8 ounces! Our little fighter!