When Everson Smith was only nine days old, he was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. Doctors had discovered a bulge in the soft spot on his head and needed to run tests. A cranial CT scan confirmed their gravest suspicions – little Everson had a brain bleed, a serious condition that can be fatal when left untreated.
“I was terrified,” recalls his mother, Shannon.
Everson was diagnosed with a grade four intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), the most severe type of brain bleed, and hydrocephalus, a common complication of IVH.
He was bleeding excessively into the ventricles, or spaces in the brain that produce and contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF passes between the ventricles and eventually outside the brain to bathe and cushions the brain and spinal cord. However, a buildup of this fluid can occur when a blood clot or scar tissue prevents the fluid from draining. The buildup results in swelling, which puts pressure on the brain and can cause severe damage.
Pediatric Neurosurgeon Timothy George, MD, placed a temporary reservoir in Everson’s head to relieve the pressure and allow doctors to withdraw blood from the baby’s brain. “Dr. George flew in with a red cape, so to speak,” smiles Shannon.
Exactly one month later, Everson underwent a second surgery to receive a permanent shunt, which drains the excess CSF from his brain into his abdomen, where it can be absorbed by his body. His shunt will remain in place for the rest of his life.
Everson spent a total of two months in the NICU before finally getting the green light to go home. “It is so hard to leave your newborn [in the NICU] for two days, much less two months, but everyone was awesome,” recalls Shannon. “We felt really comfortable with them.”
As a result of spending so much time lying in one position, Everson developed plagiocephaly, or a flattened head, and was treated by Dr. Patrick Kelley at the Craniofacial Center at Dell Children’s.
“Everyone we have encountered – from the nurses to the physicians to the staff at ’Specially for Children – has been wonderful,” says Shannon. “We could feel their compassion and knew they cared for our little baby.”
Everson still undergoes routine CT scans and neurology appointments. “We’ve been really impressed with Dell Children’s,” remarks Shannon. “It’s easy to get in for scans and appointments. And the communication between the hospital and the physicians is tremendous. They always know what’s going on with Everson.”
Today, Everson is a happy, healthy 18-month-old who is toddling about and developing normally. He has a mild form of cerebral palsy, known as hemiplegia, which has resulted in a slight weakness in his left arm. But he hasn’t let it slow him down.
His team of specialists will continue to follow him into adulthood. And he likely will continue to amaze them.
“He beat the odds,” smiles Shannon. “If it hadn’t been for Dr. George and Dell Children’s, our story wouldn’t have such a happy ending. It was a horrible situation, but it couldn’t have turned out better.”