New Mom Had ‘Gut Feeling’ About Son—Nothing Could Prepare Her For Diagnosis
Summary
Vanessa Schreckengast gave birth to her son Merritt, who was later diagnosed with microcephaly, a condition where the brain does not grow properly, causing a smaller-than-normal head. Merritt also experiences frequent seizures and other health challenges, requiring ongoing care and therapy.Key Facts
- Vanessa had extra monitoring during pregnancy due to potential health concerns with Merritt.
- Doctors initially said Merritt’s head size was normal and did not diagnose microcephaly at birth.
- Thirteen days after birth, Vanessa’s instincts led to further testing and Merritt was diagnosed with microcephaly and a brain abnormality.
- Merritt has infantile spasms causing 10 to 15 seizures daily, each up to 15 minutes long.
- Seizures affect Merritt’s brain function and learning abilities.
- Merritt has additional conditions including Cerebral Visual Impairment (a brain-related vision problem) and hearing loss.
- Vanessa now works part-time and focuses on caring for Merritt’s special needs, including medical appointments and special diets.
- The diagnosis has changed Vanessa’s life and future plans as she adapts to managing Merritt’s condition.
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