“We used the paediatric ultrasound scanner funded by Raise to diagnose and monitor her condition so that Jessica didn’t have to transfer to a cardiology centre.”

Home > How we help > “We used the paediatric ultrasound scanner funded by Raise to diagnose and monitor her condition so that Jessica didn’t have to transfer to a cardiology centre.”

Jessica Squires was born prematurely at 27 weeks and was transferred to the Neonatal special care baby unit at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust when she was 7 days of age. Jessica weighed just 865 grams at birth and spent 9 weeks in Neonatal care, including 5 days in intensive care (at Oxford). Jessica needed breathing support with non-invasive ventilation, and had a heart condition called ‘Patent Ductus Arteriosus’ which is common in extreme preterm babies.

Dr Sankara Narayanan, neonatal consultant at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, oversaw Jessica’s care at Watford and explained: “We used the paediatric ultrasound scanner funded by Raise to diagnose and monitor her condition so that Jessica didn’t have to transfer to a cardiology centre.

“Using sound waves, a Paediatric ultrasound scanner is a simple and painless way of identifying any problems with the heart, enabling us to detect any holes or narrowed valves, so we can determine the most appropriate treatment plan for each individual poorly child. Raise have funded a second portable scanner at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust to enable babies to be scanned more quickly, speeding up their diagnosis and enabling staff to start them on a course of treatment promptly.”