Donation supports research

JACKSON - The March of Dimes, New Jersey Chapter, recently received a $50,000 donation from The Caitlin Elizabeth Russell Foundation Inc. The donation will directly support March of Dimes research into necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a potentially dangerous intestinal problem that most commonly affects premature babies.

The Caitlin Elizabeth Russell Foundation Inc. was founded in memory of Caitlin Russell of Jackson, who was born nearly 16 weeks premature on Nov. 21, 2005. Caitlin spent 130 days in a neonatal intensive care unit but never got to go home with her parents, Chris and Michelle. She passed away on March 31, 2006, following surgery to repair damage done by her second bout with NEC, according to a press release from the March of Dimes.

"Every day we got to spend with our daughter was a gift," said her father, Chris Russell. "In a short time, Caitlin made a lasting impact on us and inspired us to create a foundation in her name to help other babies and families affected by prematurity. We chose to make the foundation's first donation to the March of Dimes because of their reputation as the leader in preventing prematurity and the health problems associated with it."

According to the press release, premature birth affects 500,000 babies in the United States ever year and that number is increasing. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death (death in the first month of life). Those who survive can suffer severe health consequences. Although only 1 percent to 5 percent of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit contract NEC, it is the most serious and common gastrointestinal complication affecting hospitalized preterm infants.

Funds donated by The Caitlin Elizabeth Russell Foundation Inc. will be directed toward a March of Dimes-funded research grant at California's David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA, which proposes to determine the mechanisms by which breast milk helps protect premature babies from NEC. The March of Dimes is funding three additional grants aimed at prevention and treatment of NEC.

"The Russells have become a true part of the March of Dimes family, and we thank them for their generous gift and for their deep understanding of how they can make a difference in other families' lives," said Patricia Van Abs, New Jersey State Director for the March of Dimes.

According to the press release, there is no definitive cause for NEC, though infection is suspected. NEC is characterized by necrosis, or tissue death, in parts of the bowel. Babies with NEC develop feeding problems, abdominal swelling and other complications. If tests show a baby has NEC, he will be fed intravenously while his bowel heals. Sometimes damaged sections of intestine must be surgically removed.

Michelle Russell gave birth to her

daughter, Caitlin, after only 24 weeks and five days of pregnancy. Doctors believe that Michelle contracted an infection that resulted in premature labor. Caitlin weighed just 1 pound, 7 ounces and experienced many of the most severe complications of prematurity. She was put on a ventilator to help her breathe, endured surgery to fix a common heart condition in premature babies, and required laser eye surgery. An ultrasound revealed that Caitlin also had bleeding within the ventricles of her brain.

During her first two weeks of life, Caitlin contracted NEC. After having a drain inserted into her abdomen, Caitlin recovered. Eventually, she learned to bottle feed on her own and was removed from her ventilator. Caitlin weighed more than 4 pounds and her parents looked forward to taking her home soon.

Unexpectedly, Caitlin contracted NEC for a second time. Unfortunately, her second bout with NEC resulted in intestinal damage that caused a serious blockage in her upper GI tract. Her parents opted for major surgery - Caitlin's only chance at a normal life. Caitlin survived the nine-hour surgery, but the next day her heart rate began to drop. She was resuscitated, but unable to maintain her heart rate and passed away the next evening. Caitlin lived for 130 days.

According to the press release, Caitlin's family continues to honor her legacy and is dedicated to raising awareness about premature birth and funds to help prevent it.