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Our Kids - Meet Liam

Liam

Liam, hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)

At only one week old Liam underwent open-heart surgery, an event few of us will face in our lifetimes.

Specialists detected Liam’s heart defect during a routine ultrasound at 22 weeks of his mother’s pregnancy. They diagnosed him with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). His parents knew little Liam would run into some challenges.

HLHS is a condition that leaves the left side of the heart underdeveloped. It’s one of the more common congenital defects in children and usually requires a series of operations or procedures.

While spending the first few months of his life in and out of The Hospital for Sick Children, Liam underwent several cardiac catheterization procedures, treatment for infections and additional open heart surgery. His most recent surgery took place in February. Liam and his family have faced a number of scares, including having him intubated, extubated and resuscitated more than once.

Liam has been out of the Hospital since March, with only a few clinic visits here and there. Through it all, Liam has maintained a strong, fighting spirit.

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