Inside Pediatrics Winter 2019

As for what the future holds, Askenazi said he expects neonate dialysis to expand beyond the current three sites. Sooner than later, top pediatric nephrology programs across the world will use a neonatal circuit to treat babies in need of dialysis. “We have shown we can now support these babies safely,” Askenazi said. “The impetus is now on us to make sure the patients who can benefit from this therapy make it to Children’s of Alabama so we can give them a chance for life.” Aquadex Successes: Meet Landon and Charlie Belle One-year-old Landon Wilson of Jackson’s Gap, Alabama, was diagnosed in utero with a bladder outlet obstruction, damaging his kidneys and landing him in Children’s of Alabama’s NICU. First, doctors worked to stabilize Landon’s breathing, as his oxygen levels fluctuated from 20 to 80%. Landon was then placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to support his heart and lungs, and the Aquadex to support his kidney function. “Given Landon’s tenuous status and need for multiple support devices at birth to keep him alive, we were not sure if he would survive. He continued requiring maximal respiratory and cardiac support as well as dialysis in those first few weeks,” Short said. “He not only survived, but has Landon Wilson of Jackson’s Gap, Alabama, diagnosed in utero with a bladder outlet obstruction, was placed on the Aquadex to support his kidney function. Today, he requires no dialysis and recently celebrated his first birthday with a Superman photo shoot, inset.

continued to amaze us with his healing, growth and development. Today, he requires no oxygen and no dialysis.” Landon spent the first six months of his life at Children’s of Alabama before he was discharged home. Said his mother, Lasheka Pulliam, “He improved enough to where the Children’s of Alabama staff started training me on how to take care of him so I could bring him home. It was overwhelming at first, but I quickly became accustomed to everyday life with a renal baby.” Today, Landon is well and visits Children’s of Alabama periodically for checkups. Eventually, he will need a kidney transplant. One-year-old Charlotte “Charlie Belle” Jacks, of Prattville, Alabama, was just 12 weeks in utero when doctors discovered via an ultrasound that her bladder wasn’t emptying as it should. Also, because she didn’t have enough amniotic fluid in the womb, her lungs were underdeveloped. Charlie Belle was transferred to Children’s of Alabama and placed on ECMO. Meanwhile, her parents, Ryan and Megg

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