KSHB 41: Children's Mercy hosts conference to help children born with heart defects

By Charlie Keegan

Hundreds of doctors, nurses and therapists from around the world are in Kansas City this week to find better ways to help children born with heart defects.

Dr. Keith Coffman said congenital heart defects can lead to neurological or developmental problems because children don't get enough blood to their brains as they form, since weak hearts struggle to properly pump blood. That can result in strokes, seizures and even problems reading or walking.

Coffman is a member of the Children's Mercy's Cardiac Neurodevelopmental team. It's a dream team made up of cardiologists, neurologists, physical therapists and psychologists who all collaborate on each patient.

This week Children's Mercy hosted the 7th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative.

"To be able to really collaborate on the things we can change in how we're taking care of these children. What are those little nuances and the big things that we can do to minimize the developmental concerns that occur in this population?" Jami Gross-Toalson, a psychologist for CMH's Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program said.

See the full story via KSHB 41.

Learn more about the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program at Children's Mercy.

Learn more about the Ward Family Heart Center at Children's Mercy.