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any1 know a child wit DiGeorge syndrome?

6 replies

sam1984 · 20/12/2005 11:10

my dd was born healthy, was bf well and ad a good colour 2 her. d doc said she ad a heart murmour but was nothin 2 worry about. took her home, the next nite, now 3 days old, we rushed her in2 r local hosy where they didn't believe nething was wrong wit her until she collapsed n we got rushed out d room. a team from alder hey came n took her away. we didn't know whether she would make it at this point.

found out she ad massive cardiac abnormalities n was in multiple organ failure, it didn't look like she'd pull thru. we ad a blood test done n found out she ad DiGeorge syndrome. then at 2 weeks old she was well enough 4 her 1st heart op, it ad neva been performed b4. her chest was left open 4 2 weeks but once it was closed over she started 2 recover quickly n at 9 weeks old she came home.

since then she's in n outta hosy all the time. she's a happy girl who hardly eva cries. n now we're avin problems gettin her immune system checked n the local doctors won't put her on perminent antibiotics even tho the digeorge booklet says all children should b on em until they've ad their immune systems checked. she's 19m n still not ad mmr as it's live vaccine. she's peg feed as aspirates n has severe reflux. eats some solids but chokes easily on lumps. is on lactulose n glycerine suposeteries 4 her bowels. she's very behind on her development, gets help from portage n cdc. i was just hopin 2 talk 2 ppl wit similar experiences. new 2 mumsnet! she's my 1st!

OP posts:
MeerkatsUnite · 20/12/2005 11:33

Hi

I have no personal experience of this syndrome but I have located a UK based support group for you. I would urge you to look at their website and contact them further:-

www.maxappeal.org.uk

I would also like to wish you and your dd all the very best for the future.

HTH

sam1984 · 20/12/2005 13:12

thanx

OP posts:
COPPERfeelunderSantasTOP · 20/12/2005 13:36

I've got no experience of this but just wanted to welcome you to mumsnet and the SN board.

PottyinaPearTree · 20/12/2005 13:40

Sam, welcome to mumsnet.

I'm mum to a child with significant heart problems (no syndrome) and I know a few mums who have children with Di George. My dd sounds like she had a similar start to yours heart-wise, also having experienced ng feeding, bowel problems, reflux etc. Have you found the message board at www.heartline.org.uk? -if you start a post on DiGeorge, you'll find some experienced mums. Also there's a Yahoo! group called CHD UK who are very supportive. Hope to see more of you both here and over there

Do you go to a specialist DiGeorge clinic? From other mums I've spoken too, they seem to be the best bet for coping with the multitude of problems.

Did you know that India Knight, the columnist with the Telegraph newspaper has a child with Di George? There's an article in the media section of Heartline about her - she's a similar age to your dd.

sam1984 · 20/12/2005 15:46

pottyinapeartree - thanx, i will try them websites. i've only just joined a group but i ave no idea whether there's a place 4 parents 2 meet up as of yet. it would ave 2 b sumwhere local as i don't drive n i don't get much help from my family wen it comes 2 them helpin us out for hosy runs so i think i'd find it even harder 2 get help 2 go 2 support groups. thats y i've decided 2 use d internet as my place 2 chat 2 ppl in d same position as me. hows ur dd doin?

OP posts:
PottyinaPearTree · 22/12/2005 20:14

Sam, dd is doing just fine thank you . She's on daily meds and regular check-ups, just has a problem with lack of stamina at the moment and has recently had some srgery on her leg.

Dd is 12 now but I remember how tough the first few years were, thankfully they're well in the past. Hope to see you around on the Heartline board (and here too!)

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