Meet Haydn!

Haydn was born at 39 weeks with no complications but began experiencing irregular breathing at 1 month old. Her pediatrician, also a cardiologist, monitored her and discovered two heart murmurs. By 2 months, she hadn’t gained weight, and the murmurs grew louder. An echo and EKG revealed multiple heart defects, leading to urgent care at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Haydn’s coarctation of the aorta had nearly closed, causing organ issues and severe weight loss, dropping from 9 lbs. at birth to 6 lbs. 14 oz. Surgery repaired the coarctation of the aorta and patent ductus arteriosus, but she developed a paralyzed vocal cord and failed swallow tests, requiring an NG tube. At 3.5 months, she had a G-tube surgery, which remains in use.

Over time, her vocal cord recovered, and by 14 months, Haydn underwent another major heart surgery for a Partial AV Canal defect, recovering faster than expected. Despite her progress, she was diagnosed with Autism and Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder at age 2. Genetic testing revealed 16p12.2 deletion syndrome, explaining her unique needs.

Now 8 years old, Haydn is thriving and has taught those around her about patience and joy. She uses a talker for communication, attends therapy locally, and continues to be monitored. While her mitral valve will likely need repair during her preteen years, her heart has remained stable, and her

G-tube is primarily used for hydration and medication. Doctors call her a miracle, as she wasn’t expected to survive past 2 months. She has overcome tremendous challenges, and her journey continues to inspire.