Had a normal pregnancy -- then came his heartbreaking diagnosis after birth

A first-time parent describes how a routine pregnancy turned into an urgent neonatal crisis after the birth of their baby, Ralph, on March 25, 2026. Born at 35 weeks and six days, Ralph was placed on the mother’s chest but did not cry, and clinicians quickly noticed signs including fragile skin, blood on his hands, and patches on his body. He was taken to the NICU after a rapid response by the neonatal team, and the family initially feared an infection. After searching for explanations, the mother suspected Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare genetic skin condition, and the next day NICU consultants asked about family history and related conditions. Skin biopsies later confirmed Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa (JEB), where blisters can form spontaneously or from minimal contact, leading to chronic wounds and increased infection risk. Ralph spent 16 days in the NICU as the parents faced the shock and uncertainty of survival and long-term quality of life.