Like his namesake, Atticus, is a born survivor. Named after the lead protagonist in The Iron Druid Chronicles, Atticus was born at 26 weeks gestation, weighing just 807 grams.

Born very preterm, Atticus struggled to breathe from his first gasp for air.

Atticus was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where he was intubated and connected to a ventilator.

The first time his mum Simantha Nation laid eyes on him, he was covered in tubes and wires.

Image: Atticus receiving breathing support in the NICU.

“It was devastating to see that Atticus couldn’t breathe on his own,” she said. Watching your tiny baby battle severe, chronic lung disease was heartbreaking.

“As the weeks in the NICU turned into months his condition wasn’t improving. He was reliant on a specialised ventilator to keep him alive.”

When Atticus reached five months, Simantha thought her son would lose his battle with lung disease.

“His health took a dire turn and his condition became critical,” she said. We were told by staff to say our goodbyes in case he didn’t make it through the night. I can’t tell you how hard it was, holding him for hours and not being sure if it was the last time.”

But Simantha said in the following days Atticus continued to get better, little by little. After 263 days in the NICU she was finally able to take him home.

Image: Atticus with his mum Simantha and dad Warwick.

“Atticus was tied to a machine for almost his entire hospital stay,” she said. He still has a tracheostomy to help him breathe through his throat instead of the nose and mouth. Due to this he is is learning AUSLAN to communicate.

“But Atticus is thriving at home and reaching key developmental milestones. His progress has been incredible, he has come so far.”

Image: Atticus is now thriving at home. 

Simantha said the new Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) study that found a blood test could help predict which preterm babies may develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the precursor to lifelong chronic lung disease, was remarkable.

“Any research that can help babies breathe, or understand their risks sooner, would be incredible and something all parents and carers of preterm babies can take comfort in,” she said.

Learn more about MCRI’s work across neonatal research.