Oakleigh Ryan Nance, an Oklahoma infant born prematurely at three pounds, faces serious kidney and heart conditions and recurring bacterial infections. Despite her early arrival and a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, where staff nicknamed her “Miss Sassy,” she initially grew well and was in good health for about six months.

Her health problems began with a high fever caused by a severe urinary tract infection that had reached her kidneys. The fever returned after antibiotic treatment, and repeated infections led to further hospital testing. Doctors found stage 3 kidney reflux, a condition associated with recurring infections, including an antibiotic-resistant strain of *Pseudomonas*. Her left kidney was reported to have 22% function. Tests also revealed moderate atrial septal defect and pulmonary stenosis, heart conditions that her family planned to discuss with a cardiologist after kidney surgery.

The planned kidney operation was intended to correct the reflux, reduce future infections and address complications involving the left kidney and its ureters. The procedure was expected to last about four and a half hours. In a later report, the family said the surgery was scheduled for the second week of August.

At 11 months old, Oakleigh was hospitalized again with a critical, antibiotic-resistant strain of *E. coli*. Her family did not know how she contracted it, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was investigating. Her grandfather said previous antibiotic exposure had left doctors with limited treatment options. The family hoped she would overcome the infection before her kidney operation and set up a GoFundMe account to help cover medical expenses. They described their faith and the support of loved ones as sources of strength.

The passages also explain that *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* is a common bacterium that may cause minor problems in healthy people but can produce serious infections in people who are ill or vulnerable. It can spread through contaminated equipment or moist environments and may infect the lungs, urinary tract, wounds, blood or eyes. Symptoms depend on the site of infection; a bloodstream infection can cause high fever, chills, confusion and shock. Treatment can be difficult because the bacteria may resist multiple antibiotics.