Day 61

Eye and skin tests

Robin is off of monitors again, after being given the all clear by doctor Headley. He has also increased Robins milk to 70mls each feed. We are encorganing Robin to try ‘sick’ feeds as often as possible – either breastfeeding if Nicki is here, or bottle feed from the nurses.

Today Robin’s eyes were tested for ROP (Retinopathy of prematurity). ROP is an eye problem seen in some premature babies. In babies with ROP, the blood vessels in the retina have developed abnormally after birth. In babies that do develop ROP it is usually mild and goes away by itself, without causing any problems with vision, but in some cases can cause blindness.

To perform the test, the doctors put eye drops in his eyes, then use a little clamp to hold open his eyelids. They then shine a light into his eye to look at the blood vessel development. Robin did not like this procedure at all. I don’t think any of us would like to have our eyes clamped open! He cried a lot, but Nicki was there to comfort him afterwards. The good news is that he isn’t showing any signs of ROP, so will just need a standard check up at 1 year corrected age (when he is 15 month old)

The dermatologist also came to look at his haemangioma (the red birth mark in his neck). Hemangiomas are noncancerous growths that form due to an abnormal collection of blood vessels. They are very common in premmie babies, and usually nothin to worry about. They generally grow for around 3 – 6 months, then disappear by the time the child is 5. They can be treated with blood pressure medication (beta blockers), laser treatment or creams if required.

The dermitologist said that it was superficial (as opposed to grow in internally) which is a good thing considering it is on his neck. If it was growing inwards, it may have had an effect of Robins ability to eat and breathe. However, because it is in his neck, they don’t want it to get any bigger. The dermitologist has recommended a cream that will stop it growing any bigger, and start to encourage it to shrink.

Visitors: none

Stats

Weight: 2760 gms

Feed: 70mls, seven times a day – gavage / bottle / breastfeed