After a week of watchful waiting in the hospital, Antoinette returned home. But the young mother continued to experience bleeding problems. She spent the next several weeks in and out of her local hospital, and eventually her doctors arranged to transfer her to the women's health specialists at Geisinger Medical Center.

Doctors determined that her placenta had detached more than 50 percent and discovered a blood clot larger than the baby she was carrying. Fetal monitoring revealed the baby's heart rate was plummeting, a sign of fetal distress. Antoinette was rushed into surgery and Jordan was delivered on January 11, 2001.

The weak, fragile newborn would require 74 days of advanced medical care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Janet Weis Children's Hospital.

Immature lungs were one of Jordan's most life-threatening obstacles, and doctors placed him on a ventilator immediately after birth. His treatment team also immediately administered synthetic surfactant to prevent respiratory distress syndrome and keep Jordan's lungs from collapsing. Although he was quickly weaned from the ventilator to CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), a step-down breathing treatment, Jordan's respiratory problems would persist throughout his hospitalization and well after he went home.

Jordan struggled with other serious medical problems caused by his preterm birth. He experienced apnea, disruptions in breathing, and bradycardia, a slow heart rate, which required constant monitoring. A month after delivery, he developed a serious bowel infection, necrotizing enterocolitis, and was carefully treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy. Severe bouts of gastric reflux interfered with feeding and resulted in Vitamin A and E deficiencies and hyperglycemia. Jordan also battled anemia and jaundice.

Throughout their ordeal, Jordan's family was grateful for nearby accommodations at Ronald McDonald House.

"We live an hour away, and we spent at least a month and a half at Ronald McDonald House. That made it much easier to visit my son and participate in his care," says Antoinette.

After almost three months of specialized treatment, Jordan was well enough to go home. At discharge, he weighed 5 pounds, 7 ounces.

"Jordan was afflicted with most of the common complications of preterm birth, but thankfully, none resulted in long-term health problems," says James Cook, MD, Director of Neonatology at Janet Weis Children's Hospital.

Although Jordan pulled through the most critical periods, he did require some follow-up care at home. He remained on oxygen therapy, an apnea monitor, medication to control gastrointestinal problems, and a special feeding formula. He also required physical and occupational therapy to boost his motor skills and coordination.

Today, he's a spunky four-year-old, enthralled with Harry Potter, drawing, and books. He attends an early-intervention program in his community and will enter kindergarten in 2006.

"My experience with Janet Weis Children's Hospital and the NICU staff was great, absolutely wonderful. In fact, I took Jordan back to the NICU a few months ago. He walked around, and folks remembered him. We greatly appreciate all they did to help him get better," his mom says.