Baby nearly dies three times after heart condition mistaken for colic
Tot’s life-saving surgery to reconnect artery
He was literally dying in the pram, really struggling to breathe NIKITA KILVINGTON MUM OF HEART OP BABY
A FOUR-month baby wrongly diagnosed with colic nearly died three times after suffering a heart attack brought on by a rare artery condition.
Carter Hornshaw’s mum Nikita Kilvington, 20, was so worried about his condition she took him four days in a row to see GPs who said he had colic, then scarlet fever then finally a throat infection.
Medics finally diagnosed ALCAPA syndrome, where an artery meant to carry blood to the heart is not connected properly.
Carter had six hours’ surgery to reconnect the artery and is making a rapid recovery.
Nikita, from west Hull, recalled how, frustrated and scared after her visits to the GPs, she took the baby to the Hull Royal Infirmary.
She said he was “literally dying in the pram when we got to the hospital, really struggling to breathe”.
A&E medics gave Carter a 50/50 chance and rushed him to an ambulance for a 60-mile dash to Leeds General Infirmary.
Doctors there diagnosed ALCAPA but next day Carter suffered a heart attack.
Nikita said it was caused “because his heart was so swollen and couldn’t get oxygen to it”.
The following day he had the six-hour surgery.
The mum said finally getting the diagnosis in Leeds had been “reassuring” but added: “I was still concerned because it is so rare.
“The doctor told me he only deals with three cases a year, so I was still very scared for Carter and if he was going to pull through.”
A month on from the surgery Nikita said: “He has recovered really well and he has amazed all the nurses with how well he’s doing.
“He will be in hospital for a couple of days but it is terrifying to think what could have happened if we didn’t take him to hospital when we did.”