An update on Brantley Jacobs
I wrote a story earlier this month about Brantley Jacobs, a baby who has a rare disease known as Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. The disease has affected Brantley’s right leg, causing it to be disfigured.
Brantley’s dad David Jacobs sent me an update recently and told me that, in December, Brantley will lose his right leg, from the knee down.
The Jacobses took Brantley to Children’s Hospital Boston earlier this month where doctors assessed Brantley’s condition. David said his son’s case is just too far advanced to save his leg. After the surgery, Brantley will undergo several “debulking” procedures to kill off some of the extra blood vessels and to help get the rest of his leg ready to accept a prosthetic. All of this will have to take place in Boston.
If you would like to help the Jacobses family, there’s a Facebook page set up with more information on how to do that.
Tiny turtles, baby chicks and Salmonella
I have now received my second news release about the risk of children contracting Salmonella from baby turtles, chicks and ducklings.
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection, according to the CDC. The illness — caused by bacteria sometimes carried, for example, in baby bird’s intestines — usually lasts four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment.
I grew up on a farm and remember playing with all three culprits. Apparently I got lucky.
According to a news release:
During 2006, the Oklahoma State Department of Health identified an outbreak of Salmonella associated with handling chicks, ducklings, and other baby birds purchased from farm supply stores as pets. Fourteen cases were identified and seven required hospitalization.
The state health department has provided some tips about handling baby creatures.
And now, some baby animal photos:
Worried about memory loss? Free screenings this month in OKC
An estimated 5.4 million people in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including thousands of people who live in Oklahoma.
As people age, the concern becomes — Am I becoming forgetful because that’s what happens when people age, or am I in the early stages of dementia?
This month, you or your loved one can sign up for a free memory loss screening.
Before the screenings, Vicki Escajeda, of Integris Mental Health, will discuss issues related to memory loss, including the early detection and treatment of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease. It affects memory, thinking and behavior.
You will need to make a reservation for the screening, which will take place:
- Friday, April 20, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
2900 SW 119th Street, Oklahoma City
- Wednesday, April 25, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church
2424 NW 50th Street, Oklahoma City
Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m., followed by the 1 p.m. presentation. After that, mental health professionals will provide free individual memory loss screening tests from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information or to make reservations, call the Integris HealthLine at 405-951-2277.
A rare disease and tough decisions
I can’t imagine what it’s like not being able to hold your newborn child.
That’s the case for Haleigh and David Jacobs in Blanchard.
In a story I wrote with Sarah Phipps as photographer and videographer, we learned about Brantley Jacobs, an adorable 3-month-old baby who (likely) has the rare disease Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.
Because of how far the disease spreads on Brantley’s lower body, it causes him too much pain when you try to hold him. Sometimes, on a good day, his parents and family can sit a pillow and thick blanket on their laps and place Brantley on that. But generally, they can’t.
The Jacobses love their son and are trying to determine what’s best for him. They’re headed to Boston in a week to get another opinion. The family has a Facebook page with information on how you can help out.
Redefining autism
A story today from the Associated Press discusses the proposed changes in how autism is defined.
The American Psychiatric Association is looking to make the revisions in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.
According to the AP story, the proposed changes include:
— A new “autism spectrum disorder” category would be created, describing symptoms that generally appear before age 3. It would encompass children with “autistic disorder,” now used for severe cases, plus those with two high-functioning variations.
— Autistic disorder and high-functioning variations — Asperger’s disorder and PDD-NOS, or “pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified” — would be eliminated, but their symptoms would be covered under the new category.
— Another new category, “social communication disorder,” would include children who relate poorly to others and have trouble reading facial expressions and body language. A small percentage of children now labeled with PDD-NOS would fit more accurately into this diagnosis, autism panel members say.
Some parents are concerned the changes would mean their kids won’t qualify for services that help them in their day-to-day lives. Meanwhile, some doctors say the changes would only help better define which children need certain services.
Do you have a child with autism? What are your thoughts on the proposed changes?
New health reporter, saying hello
I recently started as the health reporter at The Oklahoman.
I write about anything I can persuade my editors to believe is related to health.
That being said, I would like to hear from you. Let me know what you would like to read about, and I will do my best to write about it. You can reach me either in the comments of this blog, via e-mail or on Twitter at @jaclyncosgrove.
