Craig and Kendra Bordenkircher tried for 12 years to have a child, visiting a number of fertility specialists and attempting a few different treatments.  While taking a break from treatments, the couple was thrilled to discover Kendra was pregnant.  A week before her due date in June 2020, Kendra went into labor and gave birth to Sophia at Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) in June 2020.  Having stopped growing in the womb at 34 weeks, Sophia was slightly underweight at just over five pounds.  Within 24 hours, she lost weight and a nurse became concerned that Sophia would not safely fit in a car seat for the ride home.  Sophia was sent to the Special Care Nursery where it was discovered that she was unable to keep warm.

When an infant is cold-stressed, they use energy and oxygen to generate warmth.  Sophia’s heart rate spiked and she began struggling to breathe.  She was placed inside an incubator to regulate her temperature and immediately started breathing better.  Kendra was able to visit with Sophia and offer her regular feedings.  “I am so grateful for the amazing team in the Special Care Nursery.  The nurses helped so much with learning to breastfeed and were so calming when things were very emotional,” Kendra said.  While in the Special Care Nursery, Sophia’s blood sugar started rising and she was then transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for more intensive care.

Sophia was diagnosed with transient neonatal diabetes, a rare form of diabetes that occurs within the first six months of life.  Infants with this condition do not produce enough insulin, which increases blood sugar levels.  The condition is so rare, experts in Chicago were consulted to determine the best treatment plan for Sophia.  The condition typically resolves itself within the first 12 weeks of life.  Newborns with neonatal diabetes do not grow as well in the womb and may be small for their gestational age.  “We discovered that Sophia had two chromosomes passed on from Craig’s genetics that lead to the condition,” Kendra explained.

While still at LMH after Sophia’s birth, Kendra and Craig chose Sean M. Gallagher, M.D., of Licking Memorial Pediatrics – East, as her pediatrician.  Craig contacted Dr. Gallagher’s office to schedule Sophia’s first well-child appointment which is recommended within the first week of birth.  Due to the complications from the neonatal diabetes, the appointment was delayed until Sophia’s release from the hospital.  “Even though he had never met Sophia, Dr. Gallagher followed her progress while she was treated at Children’s Hospital.  He wanted to fully understand her condition and be prepared to offer her the best care possible,” Kendra said.

While examining Sophia during her first visit, Dr. Gallagher noticed Sophia’s abdomen was bloated.  He was concerned about bacteremia, an infection in the blood caused by bacteria.  After taking blood samples and performing a sonogram, Dr. Gallagher suggested to Craig that he take Sophia to the Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital where it was confirmed that Sophia did have the serious infection.  When Sophia was able to return home, she was prescribed an antibiotic; however, Dr. Gallagher felt the medication was not adequate in light of Sophia’s condition.  He worked with the LMH pharmacists and another local pharmacy to locate an appropriate, hard-to-obtain antibiotic that successfully treated the blood infection.

After visits with an endocrinologist and hematologist who recommended an iron supplement, the neonatal diabetes resolved itself, and Sophia no longer takes any medications.  She celebrated her first birthday in June and continues to visit Dr. Gallagher for well-child appointments.  “Sophia is on track now in terms of growth and we believe she is well advanced in development.  She was walking before she was a year old and is now talking,” Kendra said.  “Dr. Gallagher has been exceptional to all of us.  It was wonderful to have a physician that would familiarize himself with her case, monitor her while she was in the hospital and work through the diagnoses with us.  He made it so easy to get information and explained everything to us.”

Craig and Kendra live in West Lafayette in Coshocton County where Craig was born and raised.  Kendra also grew up in Coshocton County in Warsaw.  Despite the distance, the couple chooses to drive to Licking County for their health care.  “We appreciate the care we receive and have enjoyed getting to know the physicians and staff at Licking Memorial Health Systems,” Kendra said.  “We plan to keep making the drive to continue the professional relationships we have formed.” 

Kendra visited Licking Memorial Women’s Health during her pregnancy and found the staff to be friendly and supportive.  She credits the staff there for assisting in the early detection of melanoma.  While attending a routine pregnancy evaluation, an LMH certified midwife discovered an abnormal growth on Kendra’s back and referred her to Thomas J. Hagele, M.D., of Licking Memorial Dermatology, who diagnosed the melanoma.  She had to have the growth removed prior to giving birth to Sophia.