Bennett received his first of six Synagis shots this morning! Synagis is a special shot that delivers antibodies that are designed to help fight off a viral disease known as RSV. RSV is a highly contagious virus that resembles a severe respiratory infection. Most children will contract RSV by the age of 2. To a preemie, especially a preemie with chronic lung disease/BPD like Bennett, RSV can be deadly. Up to 400 babies die from RSV in the U.S. every year!!! RSV can lead to other very dangerous illnesses as well, such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis. RSV also puts a child at risk for developing asthma and ear infections, even long after its symptoms have passed.
Because preemies born under 35 weeks have very underdeveloped lungs, they are at a much higher risk of suffering the most severe forms and affects of RSV. Fortunately, in the U.S. most preemies born at or under 32 weeks who are less than 6 months old during RSV season (October to March), or who have chronic lung disease/BPD, qualify to receive the Synagis shots. The shots are VERY expensive - $1700 a piece, and you have to get it each of the 6 months that span RSV season! Thankfully, our insurance pays all but $6.60 of each shot. Studies have shown that the shots reduce the incidence and severity of RSV by up to 60%!!! I thank God for modern medicine!
Let's pray this is the start of a very healthy fall and winter for Bennett!!!!
On a side note, he weighed in at 11 lbs 4 ounces today. He was just shy of 11 lbs two weeks ago at his pulmonology appointment (you aren't supposed to compare weights taken on different scales, but its hard not too...), so that is only a 5 ounce gain in two weeks :( He was 10 lbs 5 oz one month ago when he visited his Ped. last and was weighed on the same scale, so he's gained about 1 lb in the last month. Not bad - that's 1/2 ounce gain a day. I hope the scales between the two offices are really off from each other though and this isn't evidence of his growth rate slowing down even more! Its still a struggle to get more than 15 ounces in him a day. On the weekends, I am able to get 18 to 21 ounces in him happily, but for some reason he just won't perform for daddy and Lolo, who watch him during the day while I am at work :( Very frustrating!! Anyone have any advice???
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Wow that is one expensive shot! I am so glad your insurance covers it! You are doing the right thing getting Bennett immunized for this. I'm sorry the feeding issues are still a struggle. I know that Bennett is going to get through this just like he's gotten through everything else though. I'm praying for you always!
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