Four-month-old Noah Noll was seen by his primary care pediatrician after his parents became concerned about their son's lethargy, unenthusiastic feeding and lack of weight gain. The pediatrician, concerned about the baby's weight, spoke with a gastroenterology (G/I) fellow at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children who gave the family two options: be seen in the G/I Consultation Clinic that same day (a Friday) or schedule an appointment for the following week.
The Consultation Clinic is designed to help families like Noah's gain quick access to pediatrician Matt Di Guglielmo, MD, who exclusively sees patients within the G/I division.
Fortunately for all concerned, the family chose the same-day appointment. Upon examination, Dr. DiGuglielmo felt that the baby was in distress. He sent Noah to the Emergency Department and from there he was admitted to the hospital. After serious G/I conditions were ruled out, Cardiology was consulted.
An echocardiogram performed just hours later revealed a rare and severe congenital heart defect known as Cor Triatriatum, in which an extra membrane across the left atrium obstructs blood flow back to the lungs, potentially leading to heart failure.
Nemours cardiothoracic surgeon Ryan Davies, MD, repaired Noah's defect on Monday, after which Noah spent two weeks in the hospital. According to his cardiologist, Sam Gidding, MD, Noah has made a full recovery, has no restrictions and needs to be seen on just an annual basis for follow-up. Developmentally, he is right on track.
The immediate access to the G/I Consultation Clinic was critical in this case. Had Noah not been seen on Friday and operated on the following Monday, the outcome could have been decidedly less favorable. "I am convinced that the timing of the first appointment was key," stated Noah's mother, Jennifer Noll of Elkton, Maryland. "If we had waited the weekend, I doubt Noah would still be with us. Today, he is happy, healthy, a joy." Jennifer credits the entire Nemours team of doctors and nurses but has a special place in her heart for Dr. Matt D. "He not only set us on the right course and helped save our son's life, he stopped in to check on us several times during our stay. I work in health care. I know that kind of attention and compassion is rare."
