MAX AND SUSANA

A little over 27 weeks into her second pregnancy, all in the space of a couple of days, Susana went from planning months ahead for her baby’s arrival to giving birth and becoming part of medical history.

Baby Max arrived small and vulnerable, so when doctors in Monash Children's Hospital's neonatal unit asked if she would like her newborn son to be the first participant in a trial of a new treatment to keep preterm babies healthy, she quickly said “yes”.

The drug anakinra has been used to prevent dangerous inflammation for decades, but never in preterm newborns until this trial.

“We were aware of the dangers to vital organs such as lungs, heart, gut and brain for a baby born so early – it was daunting but I’m proud that we took part. We’ve brought some good to the world,” Susana said.

Now, 10 months on, Max is making good progress and recently even had his first overseas trip – to meet his grandparents for the first time.

But even before he got on the plane, little Max had travelled a long way.

28 HUDSON INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH ANNUAL REPORT 2022 29