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Surgery

12-year-old Mia was enjoying an afternoon at a friend’s birthday party when in a matter of moments, the day took an unexpected turn. When reaching down to pet the friend’s dog, it became startled and bit Mia in the face. The bite tore off most of her left nostril and left a puncture in her cheek. Immediately, Mia was taken to the emergency room where doctors moved quickly to treat her injuries. It became clear that Mia would need reconstructive surgery. Determined to find expert surgeons for Mia’s procedure, her parents turned to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “Living close by we had always heard that the best pediatric care is at Nemours,” shares her mother, Courtney. “We knew for something this serious we needed the best hospital.” At their first appointment with Dr. Mario Aycart and the plastic surgery team at Nemours Children’s, it was explained to Mia’s family that […]

What began as an upset stomach evolved into a journey with Crohn’s Disease for Nemours Children’s patient, Alejandra. “It all started with an upset stomach that continued over time, immediately after eating, at the age of 8,” shares Alejandra. The persistent discomfort became a daily challenge that began to affect her quality of life. “Physical activities also had to be reduced, including physical education (PE), as performance declined considerably. Psychological aspects also erupted, with certain levels of anxiety.” From the moment they walked through the doors of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, Alejandra and her family found themselves in capable hands, guided by a team of dedicated specialists. After the family’s recent move from Miami, they were diligent in their search for the best possible care for Alejandra. Their research led them to Dr. Pablo Palomo and the gastroenterology team at Nemours. The journey to a diagnosis was not straightforward. It […]

Alex, a strong, brave, and smart patient with a passion for swimming, soccer, surfing, and music, has been on a long and challenging journey to find a solution for his sleep apnea. Living with Down syndrome, Alex’s struggle with sleep has been particularly difficult, often leaving him tired and unable to function well at school. Despite trying various treatments, including a surgery in October, Alex and his family were still searching for a breakthrough. That’s when Dr. Santino Cervantes, pediatric otolaryngologist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, recommended the Inspire implant—a groundbreaking treatment to help Down syndrome children with refractory severe sleep apnea. Alex, almost 14, became the first patient at the hospital to receive this innovative implant. The Inspire implant is a device designed to assist with sleep apnea. When activated, the implant enhances the user’s breathing during sleep by giving gentle pulses to the airway muscles to keep the […]

When Lex was just a baby, his pediatrician noticed something was off about the shape of his head, leading to a diagnosis of craniosynostosis, a condition where the skull’s sutures fuse prematurely. Craniosynostosis is when one or more seams between bones in a child’s skull close too soon. When this happens, the skull can’t grow properly and develops a different shape. Despite facing multiple surgeries and challenges, Lex and his family have found unwavering support and care at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. Through it all, Lex has shown incredible resilience.  “His pediatrician noticed that his head shape was not normal and immediately referred us to Nemours,” shares Lex’s mother, Courtney. At Nemours Children’s the medical team conducted a series of tests and scans. In addition to the craniosynostosis, Lex was also found to have elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, pituitary gland shrinkage, and a host of symptoms, including severe headaches […]

Hudson’s persistent symptoms of pain, feeding difficulties, and faltering growth left his mother, Heather, and her husband, searching for an explanation. Hudson’s condition had taken a toll on the family’s daily life. Heather shares, “Hudson would cry and be unsettled for numerous hours in a day. He would throw up his formula, and we had tried seven different types, hoping one would make a difference.” The constant vomiting made it nearly impossible to leave the house, and Heather had to resign from her 18-year career in Special Education to focus on her son’s care. Every day was a struggle, but Heather’s unwavering dedication and advocacy for her son never wavered. Determined to find answers, Heather and her husband reached out to multiple healthcare providers. It wasn’t until a CT scan at 6 months revealed brain swelling due to severe malnutrition that the true extent of Hudson’s condition became clear. “Prior […]

Born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate, Dylan’s journey has been marked by numerous surgeries and dedicated medical care. But it’s also a story of staying positive and forming lasting connections. A cleft of the lip or palate happens when a baby is born with an opening in the upper lip or the roof of the mouth (the palate). A cleft happens when parts of the lip and/or palate do not fuse together completely. For Dylan, this diagnosis has always been a part of his life. “I can’t really remember much from before then,” he reflects. “I always had the cleft lip and palate, and as a child, I thought it was normal. Every kid went through it.” When Dylan was around 5 years old, his family moved from California to Delaware. This relocation marked the beginning of his long-term relationship with Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “My mother had to […]