When Ryann Payne gave birth to her son, Jett, after 36 hours of labor and more than three hours of pushing, she expected to hear the strong, reassuring cry of a healthy newborn. Instead, Jett was slow to respond, his tiny body shaking in a way that didn’t seem right. Despite a smooth pregnancy, something was clearly wrong. The medical team at Ascension Seton Hays acted swiftly, suspecting complications from Jett’s loosely wrapped umbilical cord. They carefully preserved his placenta for further analysis, hoping it would provide answers.
Within 12 hours, Jett’s subtle movements escalated into full seizures. Doctors determined he needed more specialized care and transferred him to Dell Children’s Medical Center, home to one of the country’s few Neuro-NICU programs. This specialized unit, led by Dr. Ashley Lucke and Dr. Leah Ferrante, combines the expertise of cross-trained neurologists and neonatologists to treat newborns with neurological conditions.
A Race Against Time
Upon arrival at Dell Children’s, Jett underwent an MRI even before reaching the NICU. The scan revealed multiple strokes, likely occurring in the week leading up to birth or during delivery. The preserved placenta provided a key piece of the puzzle: small clots and inflammation. Doctors believe tiny fragments of these clots traveled through the umbilical cord to Jett’s brain, causing the strokes.
With seizures posing a serious risk of long-term brain damage, the Neuro-NICU team acted quickly to stabilize Jett. For several tense days, he remained on a ventilator as doctors adjusted his medications. Once they found the right combination, his seizures subsided, and he began breathing on his own—an early sign of his resilience.
Jett spent 12 days in the NICU, with his mother staying nearby in the labor and delivery unit. Despite the frightening start, he defied all expectations. Today, he is developmentally advanced—sitting, army crawling, babbling, and delighting his family with his curiosity and joy.
“He’s so far beyond what we thought he would be at this point,” Ryann said. “It’s amazing.”
Dell Children’s Neuro-NICU: A Lifesaving Resource
Jett’s remarkable progress highlights the critical role of Dell Children’s Neuro-NICU. In addition to emergency neurological care, the program offers long-term developmental support through its Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Clinic, ensuring that babies like Jett receive early interventions tailored to their unique needs.
“Babies’ brains have incredible neuroplasticity,” explained Dr. Lucke. “When one area is injured, other regions can rewire and compensate. That’s why early, specialized care makes such a profound difference.”
Today, Jett continues to thrive under the watchful care of Dell Children’s specialists. His case is a testament to the life-changing impact of expert pediatric care, which is why Jedd was chosen to represent Dell Children’s as our Children’s Miracle Network Champion for 2026. For the Payne family, Dell Children’s was more than just a hospital; it was the place where hope was restored and their “little miracle boy” began his journey toward a bright future.