Newsweek
Baby has "common cold" then comes heartbreaking diagnosis
Mom Ariel, 27, told Newsweek that she initially thought she may have asthma but "it turned out to be much worse than asthma."
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Early Warning Signs: Mother Shares Baby's Heart Failure Journey to Raise Awareness
Toronto, ON – A local mother, known on social media as WarriorMelody, is sharing her infant daughter's harrowing journey with dilated cardiomyopathy to alert other parents to subtle signs of heart failure in babies. Her video, which has garnered significant attention, details the symptoms that led to her daughter's diagnosis and subsequent placement on a heart transplant waiting list at SickKids Hospital. The mother recounted taking her daughter to the hospital for what she believed was a minor issue, only to receive a devastating diagnosis. "Something out of a nightmare, she was quickly rushed to SickKids, later diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy," she stated. The condition, characterized by a weakened and enlarged left side of the heart, was diagnosed through an echo or X-ray. In her video, the mother highlights key indicators parents should watch for, including "modeled skin," "breathing heavily," being "always tired and decreased eating," "sweaty so very sweaty," and "unexplained crying." She also noted that babies with heart issues often prefer to be held upright with their backs patted for comfort. The parent stressed the critical role of parental intuition. "If you have any concerns or if a doctor is not listening, push for simple tests like an echo," she urged. Her daughter's path involved receiving a Berlin heart, and she is now awaiting a life-saving transplant. The mother expressed immense gratitude for the medical team at SickKids, stating, "The team here at SickKids take great care of her, monitoring her and other children also on the device. A whole cardiac team is dedicated towards children with these circumstances, and I am just forever grateful on the medical advances we have today." The family's story serves as a poignant reminder for vigilance and advocacy in infant health.
