As first-time parents, Holly and Keith were thrilled to welcome their beautiful baby girl, Maddie, in August 2016. Maddie’s first few months of life seemed to be completely normal. She was growing, eating, sleeping, and learning.
In December 2016, Maddie was taken for a routine check-up. Her pediatrician noted that she was underweight, weighing only nine pounds. Her weight was alarming because a four-month-old baby typically weighs 13 to 15 pounds. After further testing, doctors discovered that Maddie had a heart murmur. Her pediatrician recommended that the family schedule an appointment with cardiologists at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.
Maddie was diagnosed with a large ventricular septal defect (VSD), a small aortic valve, and a small hypoplastic aortic arch, all serious congenital heart defects. Maddie’s VSD and small hypoplastic aortic arch required immediate surgical repair.
Dr. Mumtaz, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, and his team completed the surgical repairs with no complications.
Maddie still has a small aortic valve which requires close attention to assure that the valve is growing with her. She sees Dr. Justin Weigand, cardiologist at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, once every three months for a heart check-up.
Maddie is now a happy one-year-old baby who loves to laugh. She is very active and is learning to talk and stand up on her own.
“We will always be grateful to each nurse, physician, and hospital staff member we encountered at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio,” Holly said. “They saved our baby’s life and gave her a bright future.”
Your donation will make a difference in the lives of patients like Maddie. Please consider making a gift today.
CHRISTUS Children's Foundation 
It’s good to know about this. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike