Parents Told Newborn's Noises Are 'Normal'—Then Comes Devastating Diagnosis
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Two parents from Toronto, Canada, were excited to bring their newborn daughter home from hospital, but just a few weeks later, they were rushing her to the emergency room.
Stephanie Mulhall-Atkinson and Justin Atkinson (@warriergirlsloane) shared their story on Instagram, where they said their daughter, Sloane, had been making a soft but persistent grunting noise.
Stephanie, 37, told Newsweek that the couple brought this to the attention of doctors, nurses and their pediatrician.
From left: Justin Atkinson holds baby Sloane wrapped in hospital bedsheets.
From left: Justin Atkinson holds baby Sloane wrapped in hospital bedsheets.
@warriorgirlsloane
"We were told that she was just moaning and that it was normal and that was just her normal baby noises, which we now know is not true," Stephanie said.
The grunting, the couple now know, was not harmless. It was a sign that Sloane was struggling to breathe, and her body was working overtime to survive.
The parents said several symptoms were overlooked. "She would mostly grunt when she was sleeping and being held," Stephanie added. "We also noticed that she was sweaty … and was happier when she was laying by herself."
When Sloane stopped eating one morning and had a faint ring of blue around her mouth—usually a sign of cyanosis where oxygen levels are low—the parents took her to the ER.
At The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), doctors told Stephanie and Justin that Sloane's grunting meant their baby was in distress.
"We were shocked and angry," Justin said. "Everything quickly declined from there."
Within hours, Sloane was in the emergency operating room, surrounded by more than 20 specialists.
A cardiology fellow performed an echocardiogram that revealed her heart was barely functioning.
Then came the devastating diagnosis: dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart becomes enlarged and weakened, leaving it unable to pump blood effectively.
A week later, doctors confirmed she was in end-stage heart failure, and a transplant would be Sloane's only chance at survival.
"You can't even comprehend what's happening," Stephanie said. "To hear that your tiny perfect 'healthy' baby needs a heart transplant to survive is truly beyond words."
Sloane has now spent seven months in hospital. The family relocated from Vancouver to Toronto's SickKids Hospital, one of only three centers in Canada equipped to implant a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD). This now keeps Sloane alive as she waits for a donor heart.
Sloane has now been on the transplant list for six months. The average wait time in Canada is six to 12 months.
"We're just living life as 'normally' as possible until then," Stephanie said. "She's the happiest, funniest girl. Each day, we focus on her development and keeping her growing and getting strong, so that her recovery posttransplant goes smoothly! We can't wait to be able to take her home."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Newsweek
Children Consuming Common Sweeteners Face Higher Early Puberty Risk
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Common sweeteners found in foods and drinks may significantly increase the risk of early puberty in children, new research shows. The findings come from a large-scale study that was presented on today at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco. Researchers analyzed data from more than 1,400 adolescents and found a strong link between sweetener consumption and central precocious puberty, a condition where puberty begins unusually early—typically before age eight in girls and nine in boys. Central precocious puberty is becoming more common worldwide and can have lasting health consequences, including emotional challenges, shorter adult height and an increased risk of reproductive and metabolic disorders later in life. The increased risk from sweeteners was also notably elevated among teens with specific genetic markers associated with early puberty onset. Close Up Of Girl Drinking Sugary Fizzy Soda From Glass With Straw Close Up Of Girl Drinking Sugary Fizzy Soda From Glass With Straw Daisy-Daisy "This study is one of the first to connect modern dietary habits—specifically sweetener intake—with both genetic factors and early puberty development in a large, real-world cohort," said Yang-Ching Chen, M.D., Ph.D., of Taipei Municipal Wan Fang Hospital and Taipei Medical University in Taipei, Taiwan. The study, part of the ongoing Taiwan Pubertal Longitudinal Study (TPLS) launched in 2018, analyzed data on 1,407 adolescents, of whom 481 were diagnosed with central precocious puberty. Researchers assessed dietary intake using questionnaires and urine testing and measured genetic risk using polygenic risk scores based on 19 genes related to early puberty. The study revealed gender-specific effects of common sweeteners, which include aspartame, sucralose, glycyrrhizin (a compound found in licorice) and added sugars. In girls, consumption of glycyrrhizin, sucralose and added sugars was linked to a higher risk of central precocious puberty. In boys, sucralose stood out as the most significant sweetener associated with early puberty onset. These sweeteners are commonly found in a wide range of everyday foods and drinks, including diet sodas, flavored yogurts, sugar-free gums, protein bars, cereals and even some children's medications. Researchers also found a dose-response relationship: the more sweeteners consumed, the higher the risk. The findings build on Chen's earlier work, which showed that sweeteners can disrupt hormonal regulation and gut microbiota balance. For instance, acesulfame potassium (AceK), another common artificial sweetener, was previously shown to activate brain cell receptors involved in "sweet taste" pathways, increasing the release of puberty-related hormones and stress molecules. Glycyrrhizin was also found to alter gut bacteria and suppress key genes that regulate puberty timing. "This suggests that what children eat and drink, especially products with sweeteners, may have a surprising and powerful impact on their development," Chen said. The findings could have far-reaching implications for dietary guidelines and pediatric care. Chen emphasized that monitoring sweetener intake and considering a child's genetic predisposition may be critical in preventing early puberty and its associated long-term health risks. "These results are directly relevant to families, pediatricians, and public health authorities," Chen said. "They suggest that screening for genetic risk and moderating sweetener intake could help prevent early puberty and its long-term health consequences." Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about children's health? Let us know via health@
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Autopsy technician reveals the most bizarre ways her patients have died — and the common act that kills many
Lives are at steak. An autopsy technician is urging elderly people to avoid eating steak, saying she's seen multiple patients who've died due to choking on the meat. Dolly, who works at a Colorado morgue, made the claim in an interview with Newsweek, saying it's one of the frighteningly common ways people end up dead. 'You can't chew anymore,' she told the publication. 'You're going to choke and die, and then you end up in the morgue. And I have to retrieve it from your esophagus. It is disgusting.' Dolly further told the Daily Mail: 'Steak at an advanced or extremely young age is so dangerous. 'Please chew your food thoroughly or just skip the steak altogether.' Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Colorado resident urged people to avoid getting into altercations, revealing that countless cold corpses have been wheeled into the morgue after a violent spat. 'Do not ever say these words to somebody: 'What are you gonna do? Stab me?' or, 'What are you gonna do? Shoot me?'' she stated. 'They are. Don't say that. I cannot tell you how many people I have autopsied and those were their last words.' While old age is the most common cause of death, Dolly dished that her patients have died in all sorts of wild and weird ways. 'I've seen everything,' she told the Daily Mail. Those she's performed autopsies on include victims of steamrolling and skydiving accidents. She's also seen those killed in plane crashes and mining disasters, as well as people who have been decapitated.
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Newsweek
Hearts Melt As Cat Won't Leave Dog's Side As She Recovers From Broken Leg
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When 7-year-old pup Rosie took a tumble down the stairs during playtime, she was left limping and in pain as her worried family rushed to get help. "We immediately rushed her to the emergency vet," owner Shahpari, from Michigan, told Newsweek. "She had broken her leg." But it wasn't just Rosie's human family rallying to her side. At home, Chuzzlewit, the family's 2-year-old cat, was ready to spring into action. Despite years of playful cohabitation, Chuzzlewit had rarely shown overt affection toward Rosie. That changed the moment she needed him most. Pictures of Chuzzlewit the cat comforting dog Rosie after she suffered a broken leg. Pictures of Chuzzlewit the cat comforting dog Rosie after she suffered a broken leg. Okotetto/Reddit When they returned home with Rosie, who has been patched up by the vet but still has a period of recovery ahead, Chuzzlewit sprung into action. "Rosie went to sleep and I went downstairs to check on Chuzzlewit. To my surprise, I found him lying on Rosie, comforting her and showing her love during this difficult time," Shahpari said. "It was a moment that melted all our hearts." The adorable display of empathy from the family cat melted their hearts. Shahpari captured the pair lying together and couldn't help but share it on Reddit where it has delighted animal lovers. "Awww!!! Poor pup!!! And I love seeing fur siblings love on each other!!!" one commenter wrote. While another said: "There's evidence to show the frequency cats purr at assists bone healing. Good kitty." Do Cat Purrs Help With Healing? There is evidence that cat purrs assist with healing. A 2001 study titled "The Felid Purr: A Healing Mechanism?" found that domestic cats purr in a frequency range of 25 to 150 Hz—particularly 25 to 50 Hz, a range is scientifically associated with improved bone healing. The research suggests that cats may have evolved purring as a form of self-healing—and, possibly, a way of healing others. "Guys I'm going to cry," said another Reddit user, delighted by the display of friendship between the cat and dog. While one viewer even shared their own similar story of cat and dog friendship: "My pup had dental surgery the other day and his cat bff snuggled him the whole first day he came home." "I shared this story on Reddit because I'm so grateful for the kindness that animals can show," Shahpari said. "I'm incredibly happy and thankful for my pets." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
