Oakleigh Ryan Nance, an 11-month-old Oklahoma infant born prematurely at just three pounds, is facing serious kidney, heart and bacterial infection problems. After spending time in a neonatal intensive care unit, where staff nicknamed her “Miss Sassy,” she grew normally and was in good health for her first six months.

Her health problems began with a fever that reached 104 degrees and a urinary tract infection that spread to her kidneys. Although antibiotics initially brought the fever down, infections returned over the following months, leading to further hospital testing. Doctors diagnosed stage 3 kidney reflux, a condition in which urine flows backward toward the kidney. Her left kidney has about 22 percent functionality. She is scheduled for surgery to repair the reflux and reduce the risk of future infections.

Testing also revealed an atrial septal defect, or ASD, and pulmonary stenosis. After Oakleigh recovers from kidney surgery, her family plans to meet with a cardiologist about further testing.

Her treatment has been complicated by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. One account identifies a resistant strain of *Pseudomonas*, while a later report says she was diagnosed with a critical, resistant strain of *E. coli*. Her family says repeated antibiotic treatment has left doctors with fewer options. The family does not know how she contracted the *E. coli* infection, and CDC investigators are looking into the case.

*Pseudomonas aeruginosa* can cause minor conditions such as swimmer’s ear and hot tub rash in healthy people, but it can cause severe infections in people who are ill or vulnerable. It thrives in moist environments and can spread through medical equipment, catheters or other sources. Symptoms vary by the site of infection; if bacteria enter the bloodstream, serious symptoms can include high fever, chills, confusion and shock.

Oakleigh’s family says faith and the support of loved ones are helping them through her illness. They have also established a fundraising account to help cover medical expenses.