It was such a happy time a couple of months ago, but the month of July just added more sorrow to the already burdened hearts of Ryan and Brianna Morrison. The two found themselves in the middle of a media frenzy after Brianna gave birth to sextuplets in Minnesota. The six babies were born on June 10 but just a few days later, three of the six babies passed away after failing to thrive. Another baby died later that month.
The end of July brings more bad news to the couple and to the people who care about the Morrison sextuplets. Lucia Rae succumbed to her undeveloped immune system after seven weeks of fighting an almost improbable and unprecedented battle. This leaves Sylas as the only surviving member of the sextuplet set. The babies were premature by over 16 weeks. Lung surfactants, substances that prevent the lung air sacs from collapsing, are produced at around the 28 months. Without these substances, the infants will not be able to breathe efficiently. To hasten their lung development, doctors had to give them steroids. Unfortunately, steroids also depress the immune system and may have potentially left the babies defenseless against pathogens and infection.
The Morrisons had to wait more than a year before they were able to conceive. Brianna was taking fertility drugs and this may have resulted to the multiple pregnancies that occurred.
The other set of sextuplets born to the Masche family of Arizona were more fortunate. The six babies are all relatively healthy and have made their way back from the hospital.