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In August 2016, six-year-old Jakob was admitted to Renown Children's Hospital with what seemed like a common ear infection. Jakob's condition quickly progressed, and he started experiencing neurological symptoms such as difficulty speaking and a full-body shutdown. Doctors, neurologists and specialists from Renown worked with doctors from Stanford, where he was ultimately diagnosed with Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE). BBE is a rare, autoimmune response that attacks the nerves in the body due to an acute illness such as a cold, flu or, in Jakob's case, an ear infection. Jakob could not breathe or eat and experienced paralysis on the side of his face, throat, stomach, bowels, lungs and legs. In addition, he started to rapidly lose weight as well as body function. Jakob lost half his body weight which resulted in the need for a Gastrostomy tube. This device is placed surgically and gives direct access to the stomach to give the child the nutrition needed. He also needed occupational therapy, and after three and a half months of ICU respiratory therapy, surgeries and treatments, he was released home to regain his strength. Forever Grateful Anica, Jakob's mom, said, "If it were not for the quick response and unconditional support and compassion from the team at Renown, Jakob would not be here today." Jakob's family is forever grateful to the staff, community and expertise at Renown for their unwavering commitment to their son and family during their most trying time in life. "When I met Jakob on the first day of his illness, so much was unknown. My team and I were worried, as his symptoms were very unusual. His rapid deterioration, after being a perfectly healthy child, was clearly terrifying for his parents. Handing over a child's care to a team of strangers is one of the scariest things that can happen to parents,” said Dr. Kris Deeter, Physician in Chief at Renown Children’s Hospital. “However, Anica and Jeremiah were also very clear that they did not want Jakob transferred somewhere else. So, we used all our resources to care for him, arrive at a diagnosis, and start aggressive therapies. They listened to every word we said, educated themselves, and became partners in Jakob's care. We all became part of Team Jakob, and soon, he proved to us just how strong he was." Today, Jakob is 13 years old and thriving in every aspect of his life. He is currently on the honor roll in school and finds joy in his newfound passion for the violin. He loves spending his free time learning about mixing music, making new friends and traveling to different parts of the country. This summer, he will travel to Europe to explore his passion for culture. The family says, "We owe it all to the family and staff at Renown."

Read More About Jakob’s Journey at Renown Children’s Hospital

With the ongoing baby formula shortage in the United States, many parents are questioning how they can safely feed their babies and keep them healthy. Pediatrician Karen Wagner, APRN with Renown Medical Group answers some questions on what to do (and not to do) during this challenging time.  What if I cannot find my baby’s formula in any stores or online retailers?  If you run out of the formula you give your baby and are unable to find it through any trusted retailers, you should start by calling your baby’s pediatrician for recommendations on other safe feeding alternatives. Many pediatricians are advising that, as long as your baby has no special diet or medical needs, they can be switched to a different kind of FDA approved baby formula, if it’s purchased from a well-recognized distributor and not through an auction site or an individual you don’t know. It’s also important to make sure the formula is not expired, as it may no longer be safe or have the correct levels of nutrients.  Can I make my own baby formula? Or can I dilute the formula I have? No, it is very dangerous to attempt making your own formula, as it can lead to infection and will not have the right amount of nutrients your baby needs to develop and grow. It’s also unsafe to dilute your formula supply, as doing so will cause a lack of nutrients which can lead to your baby having severe health issues down the road.

Read More About How to Navigate the Baby Formula Shortage