Texas Children’s Hospital: Outcomes

Rusty was born with two congenital heart defects and has received care at Texas Children’s Hospital for most of his life. As an adult, he now sees specialists in the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, which enables patients with congenital heart disease to receive seamless care from birth throughout adulthood. As patients with congenital heart defects transition into adulthood, our team of experienced specialists advises patients on health and lifestyle choices for their adult needs.

By March of 2019, the CDC had reported over 250 cases of measles - a disease that was eradicated in the United States in 2000. But it’s not just measles - the anti-vaccine movement has been spreading for years. An alarming number of children are not being vaccinated for potentially deadly diseases. The Immunization Project at Texas Children's Hospital and the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development examine the truth about vaccines and the rise of the anti-vaccination movement.

At 15 years old, Kami Wooten noticed swelling in her gums and soon learned it was a rare tumor. The tumor, the size of a golf ball, was located inside her cheek and required treatment by the Head and Neck Tumor Program. In a series of lengthy procedures, surgeons removed the tumor, reconstructing Kami’s cheek with plates, screws and tissue from her leg. Through Kami’s journey she built a strong bond with her care team, and plans to study medicine to one day become a surgeon herself.

When Shauntelle Tynan was 16 years old, she was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), a rare form of cancer. Soon after diagnosis, Shauntelle realized Dr. Ken McClain and Texas Children’s Cancer Center were her best chance at survival. After grueling rounds of treatment in Houston, scans showed no signs of disease and she was able to ring the end of treatment bell in victory. Shauntelle is now 20 years old and back home with her friends and family in Ireland.

On February 1, 1954 Texas Children’s Hospital was founded.  That first year, 4,558 patients were treated.  And the mission began to heal sick children.  Texas Children’s became the first hospital in Houston dedicated solely to pediatric patients. Today, Texas Children’s Hospital has millions of patient encounters each year.  From the waiting rooms to special medical devices – everything and everyone is dedicated to their care.

In 2006, a vaccine became available to protect children against a disease that causes more than half a dozen different types of cancers. This disease – human papillomavirus, or HPV – currently affects 79 million Americans. We became the generation that could reduce or end HPV-related cancers, yet many parents are declining this life-changing vaccine. Today we will hear from five people dealing with the effects of an HPV diagnosis, and get the facts on the virus and the vaccine.

Madison was born with a complex lymphatic anomaly known as CLOVES Syndrome, in which there are only about 150 cases documented worldwide. As a result, her lymphatic system was not built properly, so she has pools of fluid and cysts in her upper body. However, thanks to Dr. Ionela Iacobas and the team within the multi-disciplinary Vascular Anomalies Program, Madison is thriving and meeting milestones originally not thought to be possible.

Amy and Joe went into their 20-week ultrasound with a mix of excitement and apprehension. They were overjoyed to find they were having a girl, but also learned their daughter had a bilateral congenital diaphragmatic hernia or bilateral CDH. They expected Olivia to live for only moments after birth, but the Texas Children’s Fetal Center® performed a fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion that saved her young life. Visit texaschildrens.org/fetal to learn more.

At three weeks old, Luke was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis, a rare disease that causes benign tumors to grow on the brain and other organs. As a result, he experienced frequent seizures that affected his development and safety. Luke was referred to Texas Children’s for laser ablation surgery. Pioneered at Texas Children’s, this minimally-invasive surgery uses imaging and laser technology to destroy lesions in the brain that cause seizures. The surgery was a success and Luke is now seizure-free.