MILFORD, Conn., April 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Produced by The Morgan Leary Vaughan Fund, and funded by The Petit Family Foundation, Speaking of NEC is a series of one-on-one conversations with relevant NEC experts—neonatologists, clinicians and researchers—that highlights current prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for NEC, and the search for a cure.
Speaking of NEC: Episode 2
Episode 2 features Dr. Adam Matson, attending neonatologist at Connecticut Children's Medical Center-Newborn Intensive Care Unit (Hartford, CT) and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Immunology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine (Farmington, CT). During the episode, Dr. Matson provides a comprehensive overview of NEC as it relates primarily to very low birth weight babies, those weighing less than 1500 grams (3 pounds 4.91 ounces) and who have the greatest risk for developing the disease. He discusses:
- The early warning signs of NEC, what steps are taken when NEC is suspected, and how X-rays are used to diagnose NEC
- How a premature baby's immune response to the microbiome (bacterial communities) of the intestine appears to play a role in the development of NEC
- Known risk factors of NEC, and how they may affect the intestinal microbiome
- His current research focused on innate immune signaling in the developing intestine as it pertains to the development of NEC
- Current prevention strategies for NEC
- Additional research trends in NEC, and the importance of efforts to prevent prematurity
Episode 2 will be available to listen to, or download, on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at noon EDT at: www.morgansfund.org/speaking-of-nec-episode-2
This episode was produced in part by the Teacher Cast Educational Broadcasting Network. For more information about Speaking of NEC or The Morgan Leary Vaughan Fund, visit our website at www.morgansfund.org.
About The Morgan Leary Vaughan Fund, Inc.
The Morgan Leary Vaughan Fund (Morgan's Fund) is an all-volunteer, public charity dedicated to Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). Its mission is to promote public awareness about NEC and the potentially devastating effects it can have on preemies and their families, and to advance research to prevent, diagnose, treat, and ultimately, cure NEC. Named after Morgan, it celebrates his survival, courage and strength.
Morgan and his twin brother were born at 28 weeks, one day gestation—nearly three months early—each weighing less than 2.5 pounds. At four days old, Morgan developed NEC and lost approximately 20% of his small intestine. Morgan not only survived but has also thrived since his bout with NEC. This is his family's way of paying it forward.
About The Petit Family Foundation
The Petit Family Foundation honors the memories of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, Hayley Elizabeth Petit and Michaela Rose Petit by continuing the kindness, idealism and activism that defined their lives. The Foundation's funds are given to foster the education of young people, especially women in the sciences; to improve the lives of those affected by chronic illnesses; and to support efforts to protect and help those affected by violence.
About Connecticut Children's Medical Center
Connecticut Children's Medical Center is a nationally recognized, 187-bed not-for-profit children's hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Named among the best in the nation for two of its pediatric specialties in the annual U.S. News & World Report "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings, Connecticut Children's is the only free-standing children's hospital in Connecticut that offers comprehensive, world-class health care to children. Our pediatric services are available at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford and at Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, with neonatal intensive care units at Hartford Hospital and the University of Connecticut Health Center, along with a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center, five specialty care centers and 11 other locations across the state. Connecticut Children's has a medical staff of nearly 1,100 practicing in more than 30 specialties.
Attached photo courtesy of Dr. Adam Matson.
A photo accompanying this release is available at:
