Handprints Summer 2016

24 Pages·2016·2.55 MB·English

CHILDREN’S
HANDPRINTS
A PUBLICATION OF UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS
Does your
family need a
media use plan?
Figuring out how much screen time
you and your family should have
EATING DISORDERS
Pediatrician Leslie Gee, MD,
addresses eating disorders in
adolescents
BONE HEALTH
Children’s researcher and dietitian
provide advice on keeping your
family’s bones healthy SUMMER 2016
Dear Friend and Neighbor,
I am excited to let you know that UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals is ranked
among the top 25 in eight of the 10 specialties and were best in the Bay Area
in fi ve practices—cancer, diabetes and endocrinology, neonatology, neurology
and neurosurgery, and urology—according to U.S. News & World Report, which
released the results of its best pediatric hospitals on June 21, 2016.
The rankings are based on clinical data from 183 pediatric centers and on
the opinions of nearly 11,000 surveyed pediatric specialists and subspecialists.
Among the factors taken into consideration are clinical outcomes, effi ciency and
coordination of care delivery, infection control, compliance with best practices,
and resources including number of nurses and availability of programs for
UCSF Benioff Children’s certain conditions.
Hospitals ranked in all 10 Best UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals include campuses in San Francisco and
Children’s Hospitals categories.
in Oakland. The outstanding patient care and treatments at UCSF Benioff
Children’s Hospitals are supported by the hospitals’ world-class research and the
education of residents. Our rankings demonstrate the value of the services we
RANK PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY
provide to all children in our community, as well as nationally and globally.
10 Diabetes & Endocrinology Best in Bay Area
We also are fortunate that our generous donors, the board of directors and so
15 Urology Best in Bay Area many others in the community, continue to have an unwavering belief in the
16 Cancer Best in Bay Area power of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals to redefi ne possible for children in
16 Nephrology the Bay Area, northern California and throughout the world.
17 Neonatology Best in Bay Area
18 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
21 Neurology & Neurosurgery Best in Bay Area
25 Pulmonology
Bertram Lubin, MD
38 Cardiology & Heart Surgery President & Chief Executive Offi cer, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
47 Orthopaedics Associate Dean of Children’s Health, University of California, San Francisco
UCSF Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics
Free Community Lecture:
Sports Concussion
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes
2401 Shadelands Dr., Walnut Creek
RSVP: 925-979-3420
Watch live online: www.bitly.com/concussion082316
This presentation will cover issues related to the care and
management of concussion injuries, including:
1. Identifi cation and diagnosis
2. Treatment and rehabilitation
3. Prevention
4. Current laws and best practices for clubs and organizations.
Sports Concussion Program
We are the region’s premier resource for evaluating and treating
Oakland, 510-428-3238
young athletes with sports-related concussions.
Walnut Creek, 925-939-8687
CHILDREN’S HANDPRINTS SUMMER 2016
CHILDREN’S
Table of Contents HANDPRINTS
Children’s HandPrints is a publication produced by
PATIENT FEATURE STORIES UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.
Contributing Writers
Susie Caragol
10 16 Lourdes DelRosso, MD, FAASM
Ellen Fung, PhD
Mending Dance Leslie Gee, MD
Jackie Kersh
a Baby’s Medicine
Mary N.R. Lesser, PhD, RD
Heart Program Heidi Roman, MD
Family comes to Keeps Contributing Photographer
Alain McLaughlin
Children’s from Young
North Dakota for Ballerina The medical information contained in this magazine
surgery to repair should not be substituted for advice from your child’s
birth defect on Her pediatrician.
Toes If you do not wish to receive future issues of this
Written by
publication, please email to [email protected] your
Susie Caragol Written by name and address as they appear on the mailing
panel.
Susie Caragol
If you’d like to write to the editor of
Children’s HandPrints, please send an email to
[email protected].
HEALTH INFO • RESEARCH • RECIPES • KIDS PUZZLE
To contact the departments and services
featured in this issue:
4 NOTES & WORDS BENEFIT 15 RESEARCH STUDY
Addressing Pediatric Sleep Disorders,
RAISES $1.5 MILLION Eating and Living for Heart Health
page 7
Mediterranean-Style Diets and Risk Sleep Disorders Centers
6 PERSPECTIVE
Factors for Heart Disease Walnut Creek, 925-979-3429
It’s Time to Create a
San Francisco, 415-353-7337
Family Media Use Plan
18 GENDER
Written by Heidi Roman, MD. Mending a Baby’s Heart, page 10
UCSF Expands Child and Adolescent
Pediatric Cardiology
Gender Center Services to UCSF
7 ASK AN EXPERT Oakland, 510-428-3380
Benioff Oakland
Addressing Pediatric Sleep San Francisco, 415-476–3501
Written by Susie Caragol.
Problems
By Lourdes DelRosso, MD, FAASM. Being Bone-Healthy, page 12
20 ADOLESCENT HEALTH
Bone Density Clinic, 510-428-3429
Eating Disorders in Adolescents:
8 I LOVE MY JOB
What They Are and What To Do
Infant Development Specialist Sports Nutrition, page 13
About Them
Featuring Bette Flushman, MA. Clinical Nutrition, 510-428-3772
Written by Leslie Gee, MD.
Dance Medicine Program Keeps Young
9 KIDS CORNER
Puzzle #16. 22 GIVING BACK Ballerina on Her Toes, page 16
Dr. Peter Sun Named as First Pediatric Orthopaedics, 510-428-3238
12 BEING BONE-HEALTHY Recipient of the John S. and
UCSF Expands Child and Adolescent
Written by Ellen Fung, PhD. Sherry H. Chen Endowed Chair in
Gender Center Services to UCSF Benioff
Clinical Neurosurgery
Oakland, page 18
13 SPORTS NUTRITION Gala Raises Funds for New Cancer Oakland, 510-428-3654
Bone Health for Athletes Treatment Options San Francisco, 415-885-7770
Written by Mary N.R. Lesser,
Oakland Campus Reaches
PhD, RD. Eating Disorders in Adolescents, page 20
Construction Milestone for New
Oakland, 510-428-3387
Outpatient Center
14 FOOD CORNER San Francisco/Marin/Pleasanton,
Written by Jackie Kersh.
Spinach and Egg Strata 415-353-2002
Mushroom, Broccoli, Sesame Seed
Stir-Fry Served over Quinoa
Written by Mary N.R. Lesser,
PhD, RD.
1
2
1 Notes & Words headliner, Chris Martin of
Coldplay, performing with the Oakland School
for the Arts; 2 MC Hammer spinning at the
Notes & Words after party; 3 Author Dave
Eggers with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, UCSF
Benioff Oakland President and CEO Bertram
Lubin, Notes & Words founder Kelly Corrigan,
and author BJ Novak; 4 Talented teen performer
Kay Sibal moved audiences with her incredible
opening act; 5 The Stone Foxes commanded the
stage with a rousing live performance. 3
4 UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS CHILDREN’S HANDPRINTS SUMMER 2016
J
A
S
O
N
D
E
B
O
R
D
P
H
O
T
O
G Notes & Words
R
A
P
H
Y
Benefi t Raises
$1.5 Million
Celebrated writers and talented musicians joined together
on April 30 for the seventh annual Notes & Words benefi t
at Oakland’s historic Fox Theater. The inspiring event
raised more than $1.5 million for UCSF Benioff Children’s
Hospital Oakland, doubling our previous record.
The all-star lineup included Chris Martin, Coldplay front
man and recipient of over 60 awards, including seven
Grammys; BJ Novak, witty actor, comedian, screenwriter,
director, and New York Times best-selling author; Dave
Eggers, novelist, screenwriter, and founder of 826
Valencia and McSweeney’s publishing; The Stone Foxes,
a local band known for their big sound and dynamic
passion; and author Kelly Corrigan, who is also the
creative mastermind behind Notes & Words.
The performances included a special collaboration with
Chris Martin and Oakland School for the Arts singers.
Among the songs they sang together was a show-
stopping rendition of “Purple Rain,” performed as a
tribute to Prince. After the main entertainment of the
evening concluded, East Bay favorite MC Hammer DJ’ed a
“silent disco” for guests, and local band, Crisis, performed
inside the Den at the Fox.
For more event details and photos from the night, go to
notesandwords.org.
4 5
UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS CHILDREN’S HANDPRINTS SUMMER 2016 5
PERSPECTIVE
It’s Time to Create a Family Media Use Plan
Ih ave long thought about the importance Role-modeling: An essential component son whenever possible. I will explore more
of being mindful regarding our son’s of any family media use plan is to address interactive, educational apps and games
media use. We have verbalized daily time parents’ media use and set limits for and try to decrease the percentage of my
limits that we try to stick to, and I monitor ourselves as well as our kids. This is son’s screen time that is passive viewing.
content of his screen time fairly closely. This important from a role-modeling perspective, Role-modeling: Perhaps the most
does not mean we don’t have setbacks. I’m but it is also important from a relationship challenging section, but here goes. I’ve
taking my own advice and writing down a perspective. A recent small study observed installed the Moment app on my phone that
family media plan: 55 parents’ behavior with their children lets me know how much time I’m spending
Quantity: It is important for families to while eating together at a restaurant. Forty looking at my phone each day. It also counts
think about how much screen time they of the 55 parents looked at a device during the number of times I pick it up. This has
consider reasonable for their children. the meal. Researchers found that the more been eye-opening. I’m using this tool to help
The American Academy of Pediatrics has immersed a parent was with their device, me stay under a total time goal per day. I’m
long recommended no screen time for the more harshly they responded to their also pledging to stay off my phone from
children under 2 and a maximum of two children, even if the child’s request was the time I get home until the time my son is
hours for all other children, but has recently simply asking for help with their food. asleep, and he knows this and will help keep
acknowledged that this is not the reality for Safety: All media use plans should me accountable. Kids are much more likely
most families. Data from Common Sense address safety. Do whatever you need to in to buy into a media plan if they see that
Media (2013) tells us that kids between 8 order to refrain from using your phone while their parents have to follow the rules as well.
and 10 years old have an average of eight driving. For many of us this means placing I’m going to take a “digital sabbath” twice
hours of media exposure per day, and the phone out of our reach. There are also a month—two days a month when I am
teenagers have in excess of a whopping 11 now apps that make it impossible to text completely offl ine. I will turn off all devices
hours per day of screen time. This is more and drive. Consider installing one if the pull at least 30 minutes before my desired sleep
than time spent sleeping or time in school! of the phone is just too great. For those time.
Excess screen time has been associated with older children, being thoughtful about Safety: We have an intentional,
with problems like obesity, disordered when they are allowed to enter the social continued commitment to no texting or
sleep, and behavior problems. Perhaps most media world is highly important. Having looking at the phone while driving. No
importantly, any time spent in front of a conversations about cyberbullying and excuses. No exceptions. For me, this means
screen is less time spent interacting as a being a good digital citizen are essential. always remembering to set my audio book
family. It is helpful to set “device curfews” For more information on these topics, go or music selection prior to starting out.
and to keep all devices and screens out of to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Do you have a family media use plan?
bedrooms. excellent resource, SafetyNet (http://
Quality: We are learning that it is safetynet.aap.org).
not only the quantity of screen time that Heidi Roman, MD, graduated
matters, but also the quality. I use Common How this looks for our family: from the University of
Sense Media as a guide to gauge the Quantity: We have a limit of 30 minutes Wisconsin School of
appropriateness of any videos or apps my of screen time for my son on weekdays. Medicine and Public
son is viewing. Any program with adult I’d rather this was zero, but frankly I really Health and completed her
content is off -limits. For any shows that are enjoy relaxing together on the couch pediatric residency and
borderline, we watch together to provide after dinner, so I’m staying realistic on this chief residency at Children’s
context and share any teachable moments. for now. He has a two-hour max on the Hospital Oakland. She currently lives in
Recent data suggests that certain “pro- weekends. These limits seem realistic, but Dallas, Texas, with her husband and son
social” media can be benefi cial in teaching require discipline. I am going to set more and is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
empathy and respect for other cultures, timers to avoid some of the “just a few more at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a
and in sending anti-bullying messages. minutes” that easily turn into an extra hour pediatrician at Children’s Medical Center of
Researchers are also exploring how on weekend mornings. Dallas. She writes about children’s health at
interactive media, such as iPad use, may Quality: We will continue to use http://mytwohats.com and tweets from
infl uence kids in diff erent ways than more Common Sense Media to gauge @hkroman.
passive media exposure. appropriateness and to co-view with our
6 UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS CHILDREN’S HANDPRINTS SUMMER 2016
100%

HEALTHY
ASK AN EXPERT
Addressing Pediatric Sleep Problems
Do you know if your child is getting enough sleep?
Lourdes DelRosso, MD, FAASM, Associate Director of the
Sleep Disorders Center at the UCSF Benioff Children’s
Hospital Oakland, addresses concerns regarding pediatric
sleep problems.
down the production of a How do medical conditions aff ect sleep?
substance called melatonin. This Parents are rightfully concerned about
substance sets our sleep time. the eff ects of medical conditions on the
The opposite occurs at night: quality of the sleep their children get.
In the absence of light, our It is very important that any medical
brain produces melatonin, and conditions are treated to promote healthy
we start feeling sleepy. Before sleep. Children with eczema often itch
artifi cial light was invented, at night; children with uncontrolled
this cycle worked perfectly. asthma often wake up through the night
Unfortunately, this does not coughing; children with allergies may
happen in modern society. have congestion, snoring, and diffi culty
What daily activities are
Our brain receives artifi cial light from breathing at night. Medications can also
lamps, computers, video games, tablets, aff ect sleep or have side eff ects that
keeping your child
and smart phones. Children that use disturb sleep. Some medications produce
electronics usually stay awake until later insomnia, excessive sleepiness, night
awake at night?
hours of the night. terrors, nightmares, or sleepwalking.
The second mechanism that regulates Before starting a new medication—
sleep is called Process S, also called either prescribed or over-the-counter—
“Homeostatic drive.” During our daily familiarize yourself with the possible side
Is my child getting enough sleep?
activities, our brain accumulates a eff ects and ask your doctor what to do if
Not getting enough sleep has signifi cant
substance called adenosine. The more your child exhibits new behaviors, either
medical and behavioral consequences.
this substance accumulates in our brain, at night or during the day, when taking
The National sleep foundation
the sleepier we are. In other words, with new medications.
recommends about 7 to 9 hours of sleep
every hour we are awake, we get more
for adults and 8 to 10 hours of sleep for
tired. When we take a nap during the day, What is a sleep disorder?
teens. School-aged children need about
we deplete this substance and we do not There are sleep disorders that can aff ect
11 to 12 hours of sleep, toddlers 13 to 14
feel sleepy until later hours of the night. children’s sleep. Snoring and gasping
hours, and infants anywhere from 14 to
Caff eine found in coff ee, tea, chocolates, during sleep can suggest obstructive
17 hours. When children do not sleep
and soda, blocks adenosine. Drinking sleep apnea; kicking legs while asleep or
enough, they have diffi culty waking up in
caff einated products interrupts Process having leg discomfort at bedtime can be
the morning, they are tired during the day,
S and makes us stay awake longer. The a sign of restless leg syndrome; excessive
and they have diffi culty concentrating in
eff ect of caff eine can last up to six hours. sleepiness in spite of getting a good
school. Sleep-deprived children are often
The successful combination of these night’s sleep could represent narcolepsy;
hyperactive and irritable.
two processes results in a healthy sleep the inability to fall asleep can be a sign of
routine. Children need to accumulate insomnia. If you suspect that your child
How can I get my child to have a regular
enough sleep-producing substances has a sleep disorder, talk to your primary
sleep schedule?
during the day, avoid caff eine, avoid care physician, who can make a referral to
Sleep is regulated by two main
bright lights at bedtime, and keep a a sleep specialist.
mechanisms, “Process C” and “Process S.”
consistent bedtime routine. For healthy
Process C is our circadian clock.
sleep habits, I recommend that older
This clock is regulated by the light/
children and adolescents avoid taking
dark cycle. Bright lights signal our brain
naps during the day.
that it is daytime, and our brain shuts
UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS CHILDREN’S HANDPRINTS SUMMER 2016 7
Children’s Hospital Job Spotlight:
Infant Development Specialist
Neurodevelopmental Support Care Program
Bette Flushman, MA, received her Masters Bette has
of Arts in Education from The George
worked with
Washington University. She has worked at
Children’s Hospital Oakland for 40 years.
medically fragile
Below is a photo of her in our NICU taken
in the early 1990s. babies and
their parents her
How did you become an Infant
Development Specialist? whole career
My desire to work with young
children and their families led me Here she is with
to begin as an Infant Development items you need
Specialist (IDS) many years ago at
to perform a
Children’s with Richard Umansky,
MD, founder and director of swaddled bath
Children’s Child Development
Center. Dr. Umansky integrated the
IDS with the Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit (NICU) medical team.
An Infant Development Specialist provides information for the
The IDS role grew to become an integral part of the NICU, and
parent about their baby’s daily care as well as opportunities
Children’s is well recognized as a pioneer in the field. Federal
to interact and bond with the baby. Our NICU’s highly skilled
grants allowed us to teach the techniques in NICUs throughout
Infant Development Specialist guides parents on how to touch,
California and collaborate with hospitals nationwide. Children’s
hold, massage, and bathe their baby—using their infant’s signs
has long been a leader in developmental care in the NICU.
of readiness as a guide. The specialist helps parents gain
confi dence in caring for their infant.
What exactly does an Infant Development Specialist in the
NICU do? Kangaroo Holding
The NICU is a medically complex environment with highly
The parent sits with the baby
technical equipment. This lifesaving equipment is crucial in
placed against his or her bare
caring for babies, but it may also cause parents to feel isolated chest with a shirt or a blanket
from their infant. Our neurodevelopmental program in the NICU covering both the baby and parent.
helps parents learn to read their baby’s behaviors—such as The baby will hear the parent’s
when the baby is stressed and needs to rest—and how to offer heartbeat, and both baby and
comfort and support to their baby. The IDS helps parents gain parent fi nd comfort in the
confidence in caring for their infant by promoting bonding. skin-to-skin contact.
Bringing parents and infants together in natural ways under
Infant Massage
these circumstances is the focus of the IDS and staff.
Premature infants who receive
infant massage may feed better,
What is the future for the field?
sleep more, and have greater
The future of neurodevelopmental support care and the IDS is
weight gain. The experience
bright, with so many directions of growth. Never have we been
of mutual enjoyment and
able to say, ‘Wow! Look at all we have accomplished; we are closeness promotes the feeling of
finished.’ Each day there is more to do to bring parents and attachment.
infants together, to support bedside nursing and other medical
staff in providing developmental supports, to work with other
disciplines as part of the developmental team, and to soften the Swaddled Bathing
effects of the NICU environment. With the new NICU to be built, Swaddled bathing is a
the intensity of the environment will greatly lessen, with single neurodevelopmentally supportive
rooms for each baby and family. The results will be good for all. method of bathing a medically
The neurodevelopmental support care will shift and change and fragile infant. Supported by the
Infant Development Specialist, the
yet always be exciting and rewarding. My vision for Children’s is
parent bathes the baby, who is
to continue to be a model and resource to hospitals throughout
swaddled in a cloth. The baby is
the world.
gradually unwrapped during the
bathing, relaxing into the warm bath.
8 UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS CHILDREN’S HANDPRINTS SUMMER 2016
Thank you all for your entries! KIDS

CCORNER
PUZZLE #15 Answer
PROBLEM:
Using the hints below, correctly place the
numbers 1 through 9 into the diagram.
1. 1 is in the bottom center. ANSWER:
2. 5 is two squares below 3.
2 7 3
3. 4 is directly left of 6.
4. 7 is directly right of 2.
4 6 9 ((ll-r, t-bb)) AAllii ffrom CConcord; Aarav
5. 8 is diagonally opposite 3. from Danville; Harun from Dublin;
Alexander, Anuj, and Pavitra from
6. 6 is directly below 7. Fremont; Pooja from Pleasanton;
8 1 5 Allen, Alyssa, Deepak, Edward, Esha,
7. 9 is two squares right of 4. Hunter, Katrina, Sahithi, and Srinithi
from San Ramon. Thank you all to
those who sent their entries!
PUZZLE #16
Consent to
PROBLEM: Publish Information
Which letters are in:
I hereby give my consent to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital
1. Two or more circles?
Oakland and its organizations, including its fundraising foundation,
Answer______________ A
(“Children’s”), to do any or all of the following with respect to me/
my child:
2. A triangle and only one B C D
circle?
Child’s name_____________________________________________
Answer______________
E F G H I
3. A rectangle, but not a xI agree that pictures of and information about me/my child may
triangle? be used in and/or shared with Children’s publication HandPrints.
J K L
Answer______________
I understand:
• I may cancel this consent up until a reasonable time before the
4. Only one circle, but not a
picture/information is used, but I must do so in writing and
triangle or a rectangle? M
submit to: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, Marketing
Answer______________ Communications, 747 52nd Street, Oakland, CA 94609.
• My cancellation will be eff ective when received by Children’s,
5. At least one circle, one except where use or sharing has already occurred in accordance
triangle, and one rectangle? with this consent.
Answer______________ • I will not receive any fi nancial compensation for agreeing to this
consent.
• I have a right to receive a copy of this consent.
Submit your answer, and if it’s correct, you’ll win a prize. Send
Please make a copy of this form for your records.
in a photo of you holding the solution, and you might be in the
next issue!
Date _____________________________________________________
Send your answer by August 12, 2016 to:
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OAKLAND Fill out the consent Parent/Guardian signature ___________________________________
COMMUNICATIONS DEPT. form only if you are
747 52ND ST., OAKLAND, CA 94609 sending in your photo! Parent/Guardian printed name _______________________________
Relationship to child ________________________________________
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ADDRESS _________________________________________________________ Email ____________________________________________________
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CITY _____________________________________________________________
City_____________________________State_______Zip __________
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UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS CHILDREN’S HANDPRINTS SUMMER 2016 9
CARDIOLOGY
Mending a
Baby’s Heart
Family comes to Children’s
from North Dakota for surgery
to repair birth defect
Luis and Maria Raygoza were not
anticipating any problems when
their baby boy, Angel, was born on
December 10, 2015. Both parents were
young and healthy—Luis was 28, and Maria
was 31. Maria had taken good care of herself
throughout her pregnancy, and nothing
unusual had shown up during her prenatal
exams and ultrasounds. When the nurses
presented Angel to his parents right after
“It was a shock when he was born. The
his birth, however, they knew something Angel to Children’s Hospital in
was wrong. nurses gave him to us, and he started turning Oakland.”
“It was a shock when he was born,” purple. Right away, they took him back for The Raygozas contacted
Luis explains. “The nurses gave him to us, tests. Later, when they told us he had Down UCSF Benioff Children’s
and he started turning purple. Right away, syndrome, and that he had two holes in his Hospital Oakland, and the
they took him back for tests. Later, when hospital helped them arrange to
heart, it rocked my world.” —Luis, dad
they told us he had Down syndrome, and transfer Angel from the Minot
that he had two holes in his heart, it rocked hospital.
my world.” “We worked with a
The “holes” in Angel’s heart were Luis and Maria had been living in the company called United
actually part of a birth defect called small city of Minot, North Dakota, where Air Ambulance, which my aunt here in
atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), which Luis had taken a job as a mechanic in the California helped us fi nd,” Luis says. “They
is common in babies with Down syndrome, oil and gas industry. Unfortunately, the fl ew Angel and Maria to Oakland on a
a genetic condition that involves having an local hospital was small and didn’t have the private jet with two nurses, and Angel was
extra chromosome 21 (also called trisomy expertise to handle Angel’s case. Because one admitted to Children’s on January 9.”
21). While mothers who are signifi cantly symptom of Angel’s AVSD was poor feeding Since only Maria was allowed to
older than Maria are more likely to have and minimal weight gain, the doctors in accompany Angel on the fl ight to Oakland,
babies with Down syndrome, the condition Minot suggested sending him to the larger Maria’s mother, who had come from her
can occur in babies regardless of the mother’s city of Fargo to put in a gastric feeding tube. home in Venezuela to see the baby, and Luis,
age. “Maria and I realized the feeding loaded up a U-Haul truck with the family’s
With AVSD, there is a large hole in the tube wouldn’t have corrected Angel’s real belongings and drove cross-country from
wall of muscle, called the “septum,” that problem—the heart defects—so we declined North Dakota.
separates the two upper chambers of the that procedure,” Luis says. “So then they “We drove out to Oakland in only two
heart (the atria) and a hole in the septum wanted to send him to the Children’s days—through an intense snowstorm,” Luis
that separates the two lower chambers of Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. That recalls. “I was blessed to have my mother-in-
the heart (the ventricles). These holes in would have been about an 8-hour drive, law with me. It was a very long trip. Angel
the center of the heart allow blood to fl ow each way, and we couldn’t have afforded had been in the hospital for 10 days before
between all four chambers of the heart, to stay in Minneapolis. I called my mom, we arrived on January 19.”
instead of just between the two left chambers who lives in Livermore, for advice. She Angel’s pediatric cardiologist at
or the two right chambers. suggested we come stay with her and take Children’s, Medical Director of Cardiology
10 UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS CHILDREN’S HANDPRINTS SUMMER 2016