Nutrient Shortages For Preemies In The News Again

Remember a while back we shared a link to an article by Alexandra Robbins entitled, "Children Are Dying." The article was about nutrient shortages for preemies in many large cities. Although this article was mostly about Washington hospitals, it wasn't very long after, that we shared another article written by a physician at Texas Children's in Houston regarding the very same nutrient shortages. Upon more research the articles start to pile up and you quickly find yes this is a national emergency. Here is another about zinc shortages in the NICU and the devastation because of it. This article states, "The crisis is the latest in the nation’s ongoing struggle with drug shortages. After federal intervention in 2012, the number of new shortages has fallen markedly, down to just 26 this year from a record high of 267 in 2011. But the number of active shortages of essential medications -- including injectable trace elements, vitamins and electrolytes -- is now 323, higher than it’s ever been, according to the University of Utah Drug Information Service, which tracks the problem."

Then today yet another article about these nutrient shortages references Alexandra Robbins research that she found back when she was writing "Children Are Dying". This entire issue is extremely disturbing given the fact that the shortages are not being seen in other countries; however this most recent article from today puts a whole new spin on the issue - that is honestly quite sickening. In the article, Robbins states,""You'll hear about this trend called the vitamin drip, where celebrities, models, musicians and athletes are getting IV nutrition delivered intravenously because it's supposed to reenergize them, it's supposed to beautify them," says Robbins, who traced where the nutrients are coming from and found that in some cases, they are coming from the same limited pool used to supply hospitals. "So essentially, premature babies are suffering because they can't get access to the same nutrients that some celebrities are using to pretty-up before a photo shoot," says Robbins, who adds that people are also using the drugs for a hangover cure."" Here is more information about the celebrity trend and about the drips in the news.

Although Robbins reported on this there is still very much we don't know when it comes to this claim. It may just be that the problem is with the supplier, and they should make the hospitals a priority for delivery of any available vitamin drips. The celebrities using it may not have any knowledge of this shortage even going on. We have to dig deeper looking at the manufacturers, distributors, and regulations that may be keeping US distributors from buying in foreign countries where there are not any shortages like Europe.

Other reasons are sited as, "the problem being these nutrients are a low-profit item, and they are made by only a handful of manufacturers. They are not a priority for drug makers who prefer to switch their production lines to the manufacture of newer, higher-margin drugs", Robbins writes. Paul Raeburn, writes, "The primary reason that children are starving to death in hospitals seems to be that drug makers cannot make sufficient profits by feeding them. Their allegiance is to their shareholders, not to the children--and that's not their fault; they are doing what they are required to do."

May this year - The FDA issued a statement recently about the preemie nutrient shortages and it said that, "that total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in critical shortage will be imported into the United States and available to patients this week." The FDA states the shortages, "are largely the result of a decision by American Regent/Luitpold, a large manufacturer of TPN products, to temporarily shut down at the end of 2012. The FDA worked with American Regent in an effort to avoid a shutdown. The company, however, ultimately decided that it had to cease operations temporarily in order to address quality issues that included particulate matter in its injectable products. The FDA continues to work with the company to prioritize the most critical drugs in shortage as it restarts production, and on the quality issues, to protect patient health.

Here is a news video about the shortages and how CHKD will be receiving a shipment of TPN from Europe very soon.



Whatever the case - be it distribution issues, suspension of manufacture, nutrients being a low profit item, blocking importation (which thank goodness the FDA recently changed) or celebrities using vitamin drips containing these precious nutrients, something more has to be done to get these nutrients where they should be - saving our precious preemies. We have to get to the bottom of the problem, continue to raise awareness about this national emergency, and figure out a solution.

To Make You Smile...

Princess Zoey's NICU Grad Photo Session

Please enjoy our inspirational photos and consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Our programs include an online support group, the gift of photography, group events and meetings, information, and email support. Our mission is to connect parents and let them know they are not alone. We thank our supporters, volunteers, and donors for allowing us to touch the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. 

We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they were in overcoming a crisis situation.

A note from Mom and Dad:

"My miracle baby girl's name is Zoey Elizah Gonzalez. She came into this world fighting at 31 weeks weighing 1lb 15oz due to growth restrictions. We spent 3 months at the NICU due to a blockage in her intestines and her tiny size, she fought with all her might to live as she was restricted from complete food intake. It was the hardest three months of our lives as we saw our one and only baby girl slowly grow not knowing if the next day we would get save bad news. Gram by gram we cheered when she gained and worried when she lost or stayed the same. But, God was holding her hand the whole way through. Knowing how hard she fought to stay alive has changed my perspective in life. I would like to thank each and everyone that saw us through this dark moment in our lives and enjoy every day we get to spend time with our princess." 

Volunteer Photographer:

Andrea Bacle - The Woodlands, TX

A note from Andrea:

"I had the great privilege of meeting this lovely little bit and her parents this past weekend. We met at The Waterway in The Woodlands for an early evening session to mark her recent first birthday. She came into this world weighing less than 2 pounds, but you’d never know it. She is a tough little cookie with so much energy and personality. She is on the verge of taking her first steps on her own—I told her parents that I might have to switch to shooting video in the middle of the shoot to capture the moment!

I had a wonderful time with this family. This baby girl is so lucky to having two loving parents so obviously devoted to her and so clearly grateful for their miracle baby. Thank you for a lovely afternoon, and I hope you love these pictures of your precious girl."  

5K Fundraising Team: Caiden's Crew

Caiden was born at 35 weeks with Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Pulmonary Hypertension of a Newborn. He was life-flighted twice and on ECMO for 5 days. At 7 weeks of age, while still in the NICU, doctors found a heart defect. His right pulmonary artery was attached to his aorta. A defect so rare, there’s no name for it. This led to emergency heart surgery. We spent 69 days in the NICU. Today, Caiden is 5 (almost 6!). He is smart, very active, and completely fearless. Despite his rough start, Caiden has absolutely no restrictions on the activities he can do today and in the future. (Although, as his mother I may have to add some “mommy restrictions”, lol). -Sherri

General Information

Please join our team by by either walking or running with us on the 26th of October in College Station Tx for The Little Monster's 5K For A Cause or by making a donation below. Type in any amount you wish to donate. All donations will help to support the efforts and mission of Preemie Prints - which is to offer support to NICU, preemie, and angel (those experiencing an infant/pregnancy loss) families. 

Just contact me at sherri@preemieprints.org or call me 512-786-3232 if you have any questions about Preemie Prints. Preemie Prints currently serves 3 NICUs in the Bryan College Station area through sewing and support group meetings, has a new chapter in Houston, and nationwide photography outreach. There is also online support through our website, facebook page, and through private groups. All of this is done by an amazing team of volunteers and through donations from supporters like you.

We have set a team goal to raise $500 dollars to help in supporting NICU 

families in the coming year. 

Join *Caiden’s Crew* to run or walk for preemie, NICU, & angel families and/or make a donation below by typing in any amount. No amount is too small. Preemie Prints needs your help!

With 15 registered members we are currently in 2nd place as of 10/17! 

TEAM MEMBERS

Caiden Crum

Tyler Crum

Sherri Crum

 Matt Crum

Kimberly Winslow

Krystle Bentley

Hunter Bentley

Mary Carrell

Jeanette Crum

Deanna Powell

Braxton, Anthony, and Nicole Hernandez

Mary Carrell

Mary Maio

Krystle Bentley

Hunter Bentley

Kimberly Winslow

Paul Nawara
Kelly Matson
Edward Matson
Chelsea Emshoff
Aaron Harris

I would love to support Caiden's Crew

by making a donation today

Caiden's Crew Donation

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E& P's Fundraising Team: Princess Preemie Pair

E&P's Princess Preemie Pair Fundraising Team for 

The Little Monster's 5K For A Cause

Beautiful princess photos courtesy of Lauren Melissari Photography

Here are the twins dropping a delivery off to one of our local NICUs after a sewing meeting!

Peeking in on a newborn baby!

Eden & Pryscilla were born at 32. 5 weeks and spent about 1 month in the NICU. Their birth and our NICU stay are the inspirations behind Preemie Prints. When they were born early, and had to be in the NICU our family faced a very difficult time, but strength in our Lord helped us to press on. Our faith was strengthened and we now have very healthy active 3.5 year olds. 

We are participating to share hope, support and encourage those families with babies born prematurely due to pre-eclampsia, since this is the reason the girls came early. We will share more stats about Pre-e as we approach the walk! Thousands of women and babies die or get very sick each year from a dangerous condition called preeclampsia, a life-threatening disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Preeclampsia and related disorders such as HELLP syndrome and eclampsia are most often characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure and death of the mother and/or baby. 

Please join our team by by either walking or running with us on the 26th of October in College Station Tx for The Little Monster's 5K For A Cause or by making a donation below. Type in any amount you wish to donate. All donations will help to support the efforts and mission of Preemie Prints - which is to offer support to NICU, preemie, and angel (those experiencing an infant/pregnancy loss) families. The girls are growing up knowing what it means to volunteer and give their time to help people. Isn't that what we are called to do? 

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Galatians 5:13-14 

Why Support Preemie Prints? 

The girls birth has led to the support of hundreds of NICU families and those numbers are growing more by the day! The Lord used their early birth to inspire an incredible mission and journey that I, along with the help of my girls & family, are blessed to lead today. Just contact me at amber@preemieprints.org or call me if you have any questions about Preemie Prints. Preemie Prints currently serves 3 NICUs in the Bryan College Station area through sewing and support group meetings, has a new chapter in Houston, and nationwide photography outreach. There is also online support through our website, facebook page, and through private groups. All of this is done by an amazing team of volunteers and through donations from supporters like you.

We have set a team goal to raise $500 dollars to help in supporting NICU 

families in the coming year. 

Join the Princess Preemie Pair to run or walk for preemie, NICU, & angel families

and/or make a donation below by typing in an amount. No amount is too small. Preemie Prints needs your help!

TEAM MEMBERS

Amber Collier

Brian Collier

Eden Collier

Pryscilla Collier

Silas Collier

Kendl, Brian, & Grey Leatherwood

Tina Dorotik & Kevin Dorotik

Mickey Howard

Anna Vladimirova

Register Now

Marathon Software by ACTIVE Network

I would love to support and join the girls team 

by making a donation today

Princess Preemie Pair Team Donation

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Baby Eleanor's NICU Grad Photo Session

Please enjoy our inspirational photos and consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Our programs include an online support group, the gift of photography, group events and meetings, information, and email support. Our mission is to connect parents and let them know they are not alone. We thank our supporters, volunteers, and donors for allowing us to touch the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. 

We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they were in overcoming a crisis situation.

A note from Mom:

"We have been parents for over four years now. We've been there, done that.  This time around, with baby #2, we were experienced and didn't have very many questions.  Then things started going wrong with the pregnancy.  On modified bed rest starting right away at 5 weeks, it was a whirlwind of emotions, appointments, hospital admissions, specialists, and way too many tests.  Our little Eleanor was born at 33 1/7 weeks at 4lbs 10oz, and 18 inches.  Due to the circumstances of the delivery, I didn't get to see or hold my little girl until she was over 24 hours old.  She was on IV for hypoglycemia, phototherapy for jaundice, intubated for surfactant administration, CPAP/oxygen, and bounced back and forth between cribs and different isolates since she had a pretty hard time regulating her temperature. After 27 emotional days in the NICU we got to bring our baby home on a heart rate/respiratory monitor.  Despite the very bumpy road that lead us here, we feel lucky she's now as healthy as she is.  She's a stubborn little girl and does things on her own schedule, but that just means she's a strong peanut.  We are so thankful for our 4 year old, amazing family and friends, perinatologists, specialists, nurses, the entire NICU team, the wonderful staff throughout the entire hospital, and many helpful organizations who supported us more than one could ever imagine."

Volunteer Photographer:

Tammy Fraley - Portland, OR

A note from Tammy:

"Little Eleanor had just come home from the hospital unexpectedly a few days before the photo session. When I arrived at Mom and Dad's home she was sleeping peacefully. She was a joy to work with and reminded me of my grandson who also liked to stick his tongue out. Big sister was quite proud of her new little sister."

July Sew & Craft Meeting

Preemie Prints had another successful sewing meeting. We worked on cuddlers & giraffes! Thank you for coming out to help we sincerely appreciate each and every person in Bryan College Station (and beyond) who gives their time and helping hands to NICU babies. If you're interested in getting involved, please let us know because we need you. If you have fabric to donate we will graciously accept.

Little Renton's NICU Grad Photo Session

Please enjoy our inspirational photos and consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Our programs include an online support group, the gift of photography, group events and meetings, information, and email support. Our mission is to connect parents and let them know they are not alone. We thank our supporters, volunteers, and donors for allowing us to touch the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. 

We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they were in overcoming a crisis situation.

A note from Mom:

"Renton was born at 34 weeks. When I went into the hospital, I was in denial that my water had been broken for about 18 hours. I went to my local small hospital and my doctor said we are calling an ambulance to transfer you to a better place equipped for preemies. And that's when it hit me that my pregnancy was over. I was not going to get a full term baby, I was going to be a mom of a little miracle. I was scared to death that everything would go wrong from there, but also excited to meet my baby. I was in the hospital for 5 days before I was induced. I got 2 rounds of steroids for his lungs and guest what...they worded, because he was born screaming. He was born and went right to the NICU and I went right to recovery. He was able to eat and breath on his own. He had a slight difficulty maintaining his body temperature. He spent 2 days in the NICU and 3 more days as a "boarder" in a regular nursery under heat lamps and then the ultraviolet lights for jaundice."

Volunteer Photographer:

Liz Crans - Buffalo, NY

A note from Liz:

"What a handsome little man! I had such a great time getting to know Renton as well as his parents. They are the sweetest family. What a joy it was to work with them."

New Volunteer Photographer, Jessica!

Please help us give a warm welcome to our newest volunteer photographer, Jessica! Jessica will be helping give the gift of photography near Kempner, Texas.

SRP Miracles
Jessica McDowell

www.jlmsilentranksphotography.com
mcdowell798@yahoo.com

Service Area: Lampasas, Copperas Cove, Killeen, Harker Heights, Belton

About Jessica:

"I've chosen to volunteer because I believe in giving back to my community and using my talent to benefit others. I have a B.S. in Communications and more than 10 years experience in portrait photography."

New Photography Volunteer, Lauren!

Please help us give a warm welcome to our newest volunteer photographer, Lauren! Lauren will be helping give the gift of photography in The Brazos Valley.

Lauren Melissari

www.laurenmelphotography.com
theelmel@gmail.com

Service Area: Bryan, College Station, TX

About Lauren:

"I am a mom to 2 preemie babies and understand the NICU struggles. I have been pursuing newborn photography for a few years now and giving other preemie parents the gift of professional pictures will be very rewarding."

Lauren's Preemie Prints Shoots

Sweet Sam - NICU Grad