The Peden Family

Camille was born on May 9th, 2024 at 25 weeks and 6days. My water broke at 22 weeks and I was diagnosed with PPROM or premature rupture of membranes. I had to stay in the hospital until Camille decided to make her entrance which was sooner than expected! Since birth, she had been in the NICU at the Univeristy of Iowa hospital and clinics, dealing with complications of her early arrival. These complications include, Broncho-pulmonary dysplasia, Chronic Lung disease, Retinopathy of Prematurity, as well as a battle with pneumonia. Camille is now 2 and a half months old and has been gaining weight like a champ, but her lungs haven’t caught up to how much she has grown. At Camille’s age and size, the doctors say that she typically shouldn’t need a breathing tube or ventilation at this point, but her lungs haven’t progressed enough to go without it. The doctors believe that she would benefit from a tracheostomy in the near future which would be a 3-4 year commitment and require round the clock care at home. We have recently completed some genetic testing to see if there are any underlying issues that could be contributing to the stunted growth of her lungs and are patiently waiting for results!