Emily Update 3/31/09

Emily is doing great today. She had her first eye exam today, it went well. Her eyes are developing normally for her age. The reasoning for the eye exam was to check for Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This is a process of abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina of the eye. There is a strong association with ROP and prematurity as ROP is seen most frequently in infants born at less than 32 weeks gestational age. Besides prematurity, additional risk factors for ROP include respiratory problems, anemia (low blood count), heart problems, hemorrhage in the brain, and the need for supplemental oxygen necessity. Of course we are looking for the reasons of respriatory and oxygen use. She is up to 2 lbs 15 oz. So hopefully tomorrow she will break the 3 lb mark. She is active and fiesty. And is all about trying to help the nurses take care of her, usually by grabing the tubes they need or are trying to use and pulling on them.