LANSING, MI – A Grand Ledge baby born weeks prematurely is healthy today because of life-saving care from the pediatric partnership between Sparrow and University of Michigan Health (U-M Health).
Born at E.W. Sparrow Hospital in Lansing at just 32 weeks in August 2022, Auriya Moore was diagnosed with Duodenal Stenosis, or narrowing of the small intestine which affected her ability to digest food. She required a complex surgery in order to eat. She also had evidence of a structural heart defect and Down syndrome.
Auriya’s parents said Sparrow and U-M Health caregivers provided incredible support during a difficult time.
“They were there for us,” said mom Elicia Hatfield.
At six days old, Auriya was transported to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, where her case was overseen by pediatric surgeon Erin E. Perrone, M.D., a Michigan Medicine physician who also works at Sparrow’s Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic. Dr. Perrone, a Lansing-area native, is among a small number of pediatric surgeons in Michigan.
“Duodenal Stenosis is often associated with her Down syndrome and cardiac disease, which makes the surgery a little more complicated,” said Dr. Perrone. “Therefore, this is a great example of one of the cases we bring to Ann Arbor for surgery.”
Sparrow and Michigan Medicine have combined to expand access to pediatric specialty care for local families through University of Michigan Health at Sparrow Children’s Center. The goal is to provide care as close to home as possible for the convenience of families, while relying on the expertise of U-M Health for more complex cases.
Dr. Perrone transferred Auriya back to Sparrow’s Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU) a week after the successful surgery in Ann Arbor. Sparrow’s RNICU, under the supervision of Michigan State University Neonatal faculty, specially-trained nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals, cares for nearly 600 acutely ill infants throughout Mid-Michigan 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because of the partnerships between Sparrow, U-M Health, and Michigan State University Dr. Perrone was also able to check on Auriya after she returned to Sparrow and now follows her care at the surgery clinic in Lansing after her discharge from the RNICU.
Access to leading-edge care will only continue to grow as Sparrow joined U-M Health in April 2023, with the goal of creating a statewide system of care.
“I think we will only continue to add more and more specialties that will help provide care more locally, which is really great,” said Dr. Perrone.
Auyira, who left Sparrow just 30 days after she was born, is now healthy and enjoys eating. Her parents credit Sparrow and U-M Health for delivering the highest quality pediatric care needed for their daughter to live a long and healthy life.
"Everyone was so professional and kind and we felt very comfortable at both hospitals," her mom said.
Auyira’s full story can be found here.
To learn more about leading-edge pediatric care at Sparrow, visit [Sparrow.org/pediatrics]Sparrow.org/Pediatrics.
Photos courtesy of Sparrow Health System
