A couple have told of their shock after their newborn was diagnosed with a hole in his heart when they took him to A&E for a suspected cold sore.
Bertie Rees-Bryan, from Gloucester, was an otherwise healthy baby, until his terrifying ordeal.
In February, at just six days old, his concerned parents rushed him to A&E after noticing a blister on his lip.
Upon examination, however, medics discovered he had a heart murmur.
Tests later confirmed he had a hole in his heart, known medically as ventricular septal defect (VSD).
Bertie Rees-Bryan (pictured), from Gloucester, was an otherwise healthy baby, until his terrifying ordeal. In February, at just six days old, his concerned parents rushed him to A&E after noticing a blister on his lip
Upon examination, however, medics discovered he had a heart murmur. Tests later confirmed he had a ‘hole in his heart’, known medically as ventricular septal defect (VSD). His parents, Gabrielle Bryan and Tyler Rees (pictured), are now urging parents not to ignore any worrying symptoms
VSD occurs when there is a hole in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart – the ventricles. This causes blood to leak between the two sides of the heart, which are supposed to be separated into blood with oxygen and blood without
His parents, Gabrielle Bryan and Tyler Rees, are now urging parents not to ignore any worrying symptoms.
Ms Bryan, an Army sergeant, said: ‘We thought it might have been a cold sore, which can be quite dangerous for small babies.
‘It was then that the doctors picked up the heart murmur, and the next day he was seen by a paediatric cardiologist, who diagnosed him with a large VSD.
‘At this point, we didn’t know much about heart conditions at all, and we were thinking the worst.
‘I thought I was going to lose my baby at that point.’
VSD occurs when there is a hole in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart – the ventricles.
This causes blood to leak between the two sides of the heart, which are supposed to be separated into blood with oxygen and blood without.
It is the most common heart condition babies are born with, affecting around one in every 500, according to the NHS.
In many cases small holes eventually heal without intervention and if they don’t cause any symptoms or stretch on the heart, will not require treatment.
If the hole is large, however, the amount of blood leaking between the chambers can permanently damage to the heart and lungs and increase the risk of infections.
For this reason, surgery to close the hole is required.
Following Bertie’s diagnosis, the couple sought out the help of Heart Heroes, a charity supporting children diagnosed with heart conditions.
Ms Bryan said: ‘I’d seen a poster on the wall in the hospital for Heart Heroes, and we went along when Bertie was about three weeks old.
‘I went to that group and met other parents and met children who had been through it all and worse as well.
‘We could see how they were thriving and we got advice from the other parents as well.
‘When we first found out, we felt so alone. I knew nothing about heart conditions and I genuinely thought we were going to lose him.
Following Bertie’s diagnosis, the couple sought out the help of Heart Heroes, a charity supporting children diagnosed with heart conditions
The couple have now called on additional testing for heart conditions during pregnancy and begun fundraising for Heart Heroes through challenges including a burpees competition and half marathon, raising more than £3,000 to date
‘To receive that support keeps us going. I also want to help others who are going to be in my situation in the future.’
The couple have now called on additional testing for heart conditions during pregnancy and begun fundraising for Heart Heroes through challenges including a burpees competition and half marathon, raising more than £3,000 to date.
Ms Bryan added: ‘My partner plays for Smiths Rugby in Cheltenham, and we wanted to run the half marathon, so we asked everybody in the team if they wanted to raise money for Heart Heroes and now basically the whole team are running the half marathon on 1 September.
‘The rugby club also put on a Combination Cup fundraising day, which raised £1,000 as well.’
Congenital heart disease may initially be suspected during pregnancy at a routine ultrasound scan of the baby in the womb.
But it is only after a specialist ultrasound, known medically as a foetal echocardiography that an exact diagnosis can be confirmed.
This may also be undertaken if there’s a family history of congenital heart disease or where there’s an increased risk.
Ms Bryan said: ‘I think heart conditions should be brought up more during pregnancy. ‘Often, these heart conditions can be picked up while they’re in the womb, but we didn’t find out until he was six days old. ‘There are petitions out there for scans to be given out across the country, because right now they’re not, and that’s how things get missed’
However, it’s not always possible to detect heart defects — particularly mild ones — using foetal echocardiography, the NHS says.
She said: ‘I think heart conditions should be brought up more during pregnancy.
‘Often, these heart conditions can be picked up while they’re in the womb, but we didn’t find out until he was six days old.
‘There are petitions out there for scans to be given out across the country, because right now they’re not, and that’s how things get missed.
‘I want to be there to provide support like people have supported me. This money will help Heart Heroes to continue to support people.’
Founder of Heart Heroes, Kelly Cornish, said: ‘Heart Heroes founded in 2018 and has been dedicated to supporting children with lifelong heart conditions and their families, like Bertie’s.
‘We are thrilled to see Amy and Rachel taking on their incredible challenge for our charity.
‘It’s heartwarming to witness families like Bertie’s surrounded by the love and support of our community, friends, and family.’
Source: Mail Online
