Teen Mom 2 star Briana DeJesus had a terrifying health scare on Thursday, August 16, that sent her 13-month-old daughter Stella to the hospital.
“Stella was sick a week prior with a fever of 104,” DeJesus, 24, tells Us Weekly. But after the toddler’s temperature stabilized, the MTV personality noticed that the little girl was having trouble moving her left arm. “I thought maybe she had an accident at daycare,” DeJesus reveals. Erring on the side of caution, she brought Stella to an emergency room where an MRI showed fluid in her joints.
At the hospital, a physician explained to DeJesus that Stella had contracted a painful infection called septic arthritis. “The doctor said nobody really knows how one gets it,” she notes. “A simple bug bite or scratch can open up flesh and bacteria can travel.” According to the Washington University orthopedics and sports medicine resource page, it is caused by germs including bacteria, viruses or fungi.
DeJesus broke down “in tears” when she learned that Stella would need surgery. “She was under sedation for four hours and I couldn’t do anything but just wait,” she says. Luckily, the terrified mom had her own mother, Roxanne, with her for support. (Stella’s father, Luis Hernandez was in New York City. The couple split before Stella was born)
The procedure was a success and DeJesus says Stella will have an easy recovery. “I’m happy I ended up trusting my gut and taking her to the ER as the infection could have grown and entered her bloodstream and she could have become extremely sick,” she tells Us. “She could have possibly died.”
DeJesus is sharing her story as a teachable moment. “I would tell parents to pay close attention and if something doesn’t look right, take your babies to get checked,” she urges. “I’m glad I did and that my baby is home, safe and recovering.”
The reality TV star is also mom of Nova, 6, who she shares with former boyfriend Devoin Austin.
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