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CHD

It’s no surprise that children diagnosed with cardiac disease often experience anxiety or depression. Their caregivers may also struggle with mental health as they navigate treatment. Dr. Erica Sood and Dr. Joselyn Kenowitz, both pediatric psychologists at the Nemours Cardiac Center at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware emphasize the importance of providing mental health support in cardiac settings to address challenges early and prevent worsening issues. Their work highlights the need for comprehensive mental health programs  from diagnosis through young adulthood, with initiatives like HEARTPrep for prenatal support and the Milestones Program to address developmental and mental health needs. The goal is to ensure families are prepared for the mental health impacts of congenital heart disease (CHD) and have access to necessary resources. 1. How is mental health connected to cardiac care? Dr. Sood: The stress of cardiac care in the hospital and at home can affect the mental health of […]

Superheroes often have an origin story, and Noel Christian’s begins before he was born. When his mother was pregnant, an ultrasound showed that he had a heart condition. It wasn’t until he was 3 months old that he was diagnosed with not one but three heart problems: Noel had his first open heart surgery when he was about 6 months old. He says that years later, “I was so incredibly exhausted, tired and out of breath. It was a horrible experience.” Not being able to exercise was incredibly frustrating for someone who always had a desire to be active. Noel wasn’t able to attend the tae kwon do classes he enjoyed, run or even walk very far. “I couldn’t keep up with my friends,” explains Noel, now 23. “Within a few minutes I would stop walking to catch my breath, and I would make excuses because I felt weak. Every […]

My mom has loved me from the very moment she knew I was in her belly. One day, during a routine ultrasound, her fetal care team found a single-vessel umbilical cord. This was concerning since my right kidney was found to be missing during previous anatomy scans. My mom remembers the sonographer looking concerned, telling her that she’d be right back. The next thing she knew, three physicians including her OB/GYN were in the room looking at the monitor with concerned looks of their own. It was at that time that her doctor shared, “the baby has a hole in her heart.” My mom was quickly referred to a pediatric cardiologist for a fetal echocardiogram and a confirmed diagnosis. Throughout my childhood, I went from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist, until my family and I fell in love with Nemours Children’s Health, Pensacola. The staff at Nemours have been […]

Kaii was diagnosed with a serious congenital heart defect while still in the womb. With the help of experts at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware, Kaii is healthy and meeting his developmental milestones