HEART CENTER
Brittany
Diagnosed at birth,
mitochondrial disorder

Cardiologists at Texas Children’s diagnosed Brittany with a mitochondrial disorder that results in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle is excessively thickened. This disease often leads to death of the newborn. 

Brittany was cared for in Texas Children’s neonatal intensive care unit for two weeks and then was transferred to the premature nursery unit. There, she met Dr. Jeffrey Towbin, a pediatric cardiologist with expertise in cardiomyopathies and cardiac genetics. Dr. Towbin made the diagnosis of the underlying cause of the disease, and he prescribed a mitochondrial gene-based therapy — a customized mitochondrial cocktail — to improve the function of Brittany’s heart. 

Six weeks later, Brittany went home and began seeing an occupational therapist and dietitian. She sees her cardiologist at Texas Children’s heart clinic every three months. Today, mom Stephanie describes her daughter as a “miracle baby.” 

“I refuse to take Brittany anywhere except Texas Children’s,” Stephanie said. “The nurses and doctors let me be a mom — give her baths, feed her, change her — and even let Brittany’s older sister visit.”

Kids Courageous home | Heart Center | Donate to Texas Children's