In December 2016, Maddie went in for a routine pediatric check-up where her pediatrician noted she was underweight. At four months old, Maddie weighed only nine pounds, when her expected weight should be 13-15 pounds. The family scheduled an appointment at CHRISTUS Children’s, were cardiologists diagnosed Maddie 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. Physicians performed the life-saving surgery with no complications. Today, she is happy, healthy, and thriving – and busy, too! Maddie started kindergarten, plays T-ball, and takes dance classes.

Maddie K.