Malnutrition caused Brea's heart to fail!

Some of you might remember little Brea from a year ago. Her heart started failing about a year ago after being home from China for a few short months. Her transplant took place while we were in the air flying to China to get Lily. Here is an update from her mom:

I've held onto this information for a couple of weeks now and didn't know if it was something I wanted to share or not because I didn't want to scare anyone or prevent someone from taking the leap of faith that adoption requires. I have finally decided that I MUST share this with other adoptive families because it could POSSIBLY save a life. When Brea was admitted to the hospital it was thought that she was in congestive heart failure due to a virus that attacked her heart.

Well, all of the results are in now and they have tested her old heart for over 60 viruses and no virus was found! It is totally possible that there was a virus and by the time she was admitted to the hospital it was gone but the damage was already done. One other cause of dilated cardiomyopathy is MALNUTRITION! It is not seen here in this country because even the poorest of poor have access to infant formula through government programs BUT Brea was not on infant formula. She was on powdered milk (only 2 bottles a day). It IS often seen in third world countries. Brea was tested for the specific vitamin leval (Sorry, I cannot recall the name) and her levels were low.

It is thought that her malnutrition was the main cause of her dilated cardiomyopathy! Her body was simply too weak to fight any type of illness and IF there was a virus, the virus simply took over and caused her little heart to fail. PLEASE, PLEASE discuss with your pediatrician giving vitamin supplements to your newly adopted children if you think they are malnourished. This is rare but if this information can save another family from going through what we have been through then it will be worth the effort. Don't get me wrong. I KNOW without a doubt that this was ALL in God's plan for our lives.

God has big plans for Brea and someday she will share her testimony with others and hopefully lead others to Christ. I have learned so much about myself, God's grace, the kindness of strangers, the love of family and friends and my daughter and I have been forever changed by all that we have been through. I am not bitter or angry but I am filled with a passion to share Brea's story and educate others about malnutrition, organ donation, the power of prayer and a host of other things. It is my prayer that another child's heart can be spared by me sharing this information. Thank you for listening and please encourage any international adoptive family that you know to discuss malnutrition with their doctor.

It might just save a life!

Blessings, Mary W.