This is Tanner's story. At 7 months into my pregnancy I had an ultrasound which showed that the baby's kidneys were enlarged and bright in color. As my pregnancy progressed I had several ultrasounds which show that the baby was growing rapidly. Tanner was born at 37 weeks. He weighed 8lb.12oz. He was born with wet lungs, he was sent to ..... University to the neonatal ICU. While there they found that he had a valve to his heart that had not closed, low blood sugar, polycythemia (too many red blood cells) which he had a partial transfusion. Also, yellow jaundice at a high level almost transfusion. We went back at 2months to follow up on his kidneys. He was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. At a year old Tanner began having other problems with breathing. He had double pneumonia, croup, bronchitis, asthma, many times. He was hospitalized about 8 times for these problems staying about 8 days each time. We moved from Tennessee to Florida when Tanner was 18 months old.  We began seeing a doctor in ...., Alabama. Dr. Williams referred us to Birmingham Children's hospital where Tanner was diagnosed with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. He was also then diagnosed with hemi-hypertrophy and nephroblastoma-tosis. At this time we began to find out all we could about BWS. We joined the BWS support group, we got involved with the research program. We went to Washington DC to a BWS Synopsis in 1994, here we met Dr. Beckwith. We started having ultrasounds every 3 months to check for Wilm's tumors. Tanner had his tonsils and adenoids removed at age 5. This was a blessing, it helped cure most of his breathing problems. He has had many tests throughout the years, including psychological. I believe the hardest to deal with has been the fact that Tanner has learning disabilities. This has been a major challenge. Tanner has not ever had behavioral problems. He is a child that loves life and enjoys living it. He is usually smiling. Tanner just turned 10.  He is now beginning to have some trouble with getting overwhelmed and getting out of control. Tanner has not developed the Wilm's tumors, but he still has nephroblastoma-tosis (pre-cancerous tumors). We still have ultrasounds every 6 months. He will have corrective surgery on his long leg in a few years, this is due to his hemi-hypertrophy. Another problem he is having is with his teeth. I am not sure to what extent his teeth and gums can be corrected. This is also due to the hemi-hypertrophy.

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