Contact: Ellen Barohn/Julie Robinson 516-444-7880 [email protected]
USING INTERNET: STONY BROOK DOCTOR SAVES LIFE OF PREMATURE BABY IN ARGENTINA
Mariano Araneda-Chavez made his arrival earlier than expected. Born April 1-twelve weeks early-he weighed just over 2 1/2 pounds.
The problem was this: Mariano was born in Coronel Suarez, Argentina, a small town a few hours outside of Buenos Aires. The physician treating him there-Dr. Osvaldo Azpilicueta-was a pediatrician and did not know how to handle a premature baby. In an effort to get the help he needed to save Mariano's life, Dr. Azpilicueta posted a letter on NICUNet, an internet web site for healthcare professionals who are interested in neonatal intensive care issues.
After reading his plea for help, Dr. Sergio Golombek, a neonatologist at University Hospital and Medical Center at Stony Brook, and an Argentina native, contacted Azpilicueta via the internet in Spanish. Golombek followed the case, and advised Dr. Azpilicueta on how to treat Mariano. The doctors conversed daily-sometimes two or three times-and essentially treated the child via computer.
While attending a conference in Washington, D.C., Dr. Golombek said he discussed the case with several physicians who read Azpilicueta's letter on NICUNet. "No one responded because they figured this was a very involved case that would take a great deal of their time, " Golombek says. "I felt compelled to respond. I am a neonatologist from Argentina. What better person to help him than someone who knows about premature babies, and the language and culture of the country?"
Golombek says explaining treatment wasn't always easy. "We take so much for granted here in the United States," he says. "For example, I told him to provide humidity in the baby's room [an important factor for premature babies], and they didn't even have a humidifier there. So we had to come up with a 'home remedy' that would be just as effective."
Mariano made steady progress, gaining weight each day. On Friday, May 16-46 days after he was born-Mariano went home to his parents and five year-old sister, Stephanie, who was also born prematurely. At the time of his release, Mariano weighed 4 lbs. 8 oz., and was in excellent health.
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