Heart, Patent Ductus Arteriosus

New technology is treating heart defects in premature babies

State-of-the-art technology is helping save the lives of some of Louisville’s youngest patients. Cardiologists are using a new device to help treat micro-preemies — babies born before the 28th week of pregnancy and/or weighing less than 2 pounds — who have a heart defect caused by part of the fetal structure that remains at birth. Joshua…

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Heart, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Child with brain injury achieving better movement with spasticity care

In October 2009, Clayton Fackler was “a pretty typical 3-year-old,” according to his mother, Susan Fackler. The family was outside playing when Clayton suddenly collapsed, going into cardiac arrest. From there, Clayton would begin a health journey that would include a brain injury that has caused a number of issues, including spasticity. Sudden collapse leads…

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Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), Fontan Procedure, Heart

Specialized care for children and adults with a single ventricle

Andrea Lambert, M.D., decided to specialize in heart failure and heart transplant care after an especially challenging case during her cardiology training. The patient appeared to be out of options, but after a collaboration between different medical specialists, she underwent a new heart procedure that saved her life. “There’s something really exciting about being able…

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Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Heart

Helping kids with heart conditions and others do more with safe exercise

Pediatric cardiologist Delwyn E. McOmber, M.D., has advice for couch potatoes, athletes sidelined by COVID-19 and heart patients alike: Just get started. “Let’s get rid of the standard definition of exercise — the stuff you learn in PE. It doesn’t matter what you do. It’s just as simple as increasing your heart rate through physical…

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Heart

A toddler’s heart rate can increase with a fever

A toddler’s heart rate while resting is normally between 70 and 110 beats per minute (bpm), with the rate gradually moving toward the lower end of the range as a child gets closer to age 3. It’s normal for a child with a fever to have a higher heart rate or pulse as well as…

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Heart, Heart Transplant

Helping more kids survive the waitlist for a new heart

For many children on the pediatric heart transplant waiting list, the wait can be a year or longer — as available organs are directed to the sickest children first. For about three-fourths of those kids, it is less than three months before they are matched with a donor and the surgery is completed. The heart…

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Heart, NICU, Patient Stories, Surgery

Rare condition quickly diagnosed and treated by neonatal and multidisciplinary care specialists

When Leacoln Bale got a thumbs-up on her 20-week prenatal scan, she and her husband, Jeremy, felt relief. The scans looked great, and they were thrilled about having another healthy baby girl. Like her two older sisters — Ellie, 6, and 3-year-old Nora — Ava was born at home with assistance from a midwife. But…

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Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), Heart

Norton Children’s Heart Institute earns accreditation from the Adult Congenital Heart Association

The only accredited program in Kentucky and Indiana, Norton Children’s Heart Institute is recognized for collaborative work to treat adults and children living with lifelong congenital heart disease. In recognition of its expertise in serving individuals with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), a structural heart condition present at birth, Norton Children’s Heart Institute earned accreditation…

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Ebstein Anomaly, Fontan Procedure, Glenn Procedure, Heart, Ventricular Septal Defect

Wonderfully Typical

As Audrey Sims talks on the phone, her 7-year-old twin boys can be heard enthusiastically enjoying the video game they are playing upstairs. “We picked up video games when the pandemic hit,” Audrey said. “It is something they could do while quarantined and inside. They also like Legos. Luckily, neither of them is ever alone,…

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Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), Ebstein Anomaly, Heart, Pulmonary Atresia, Pulmonary Stenosis

Woman born with Ebstein anomaly thriving over 30 years later

Christa Taylor was born with Ebstein anomaly, pulmonary atresia and pulmonary stenosis, all forms of congenital heart disease (CHD). She manages her adult congenital heart disease with care from Norton Children’s Heart Institute — the same team and hospital where she had her heart care for more than 30 years. Growing up with congenital heart…

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Heart

Pediatric HeartCare Partners joins Norton Children’s Heart Institute

Roddy D. McDowell, M.D., and Delwyn E. McOmber, M.D., are making their Pediatric HeartCare Partners practice a part of Norton Children’s Heart Institute. In addition to adding two skilled pediatric cardiologists to the Norton Children’s heart team, Pediatric HeartCare Partners will add five Southern Indiana locations and three Louisville offices, improving access for patients and…

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Heart, Heart Failure

What causes heart failure in children?

Heart failure is a condition that can affect people of all ages. In heart failure, the heart doesn’t pump as efficiently as it should. What causes heart failure in children? What is heart failure? In heart failure, the heart hasn’t stopped working; it’s just not working as well as it should. The heart is unable…

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