14-year-old Sudanese boy saved from congenital heart disease with minimally invasive surgery in Dubai
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)A 14-year-old boy was treated at a UAE hospital for a rare congenital heart condition that had gone undetected since birth and could have proved fatal if left untreated.Mazin Muntassir, a Sudanese national, was brought to Aster Hospital Mankhool, Dubai, after experiencing persistent fatigue, a blackout episode, and elevated blood pressure — symptoms highly unusual for his age, a statement from the hospital said.An initial cardiac assessment revealed signs of left ventricular hypertrophy, prompting advanced imaging, including ECG, echocardiogram, and CT aortography. These tests confirmed the presence of coarctation of the aorta (CoA), a congenital condition in which the aorta — the major artery carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body — is abnormally narrowed.CoA is a relatively common congenital heart defect, accounting for about 4–6% of all such cases, and estimated to occur in roughly 1 out of every 2,900 live births.Although prenatal diagnosis is possible, it remains challenging, particularly in isolated cases. The condition is more prevalent in males.'While CoA is relatively common among congenital heart defects, diagnosis at adolescence — like in Mazin's case — is exceptionally rare,' the statement said.'This condition is most often detected in infancy or early childhood. It is extremely rare to diagnose coarctation of the aorta at the age of 14, as was the case with Mazin, making this a highly uncommon case' said doctors at Aster Hospital who treated him.Mazin was under the care of Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Head of Cardiology at Aster Hospitals & Clinics UAE and Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Aster Hospital Mankhool.Speaking to about the case, Dr. Naveed said: 'CoA is typically diagnosed during infancy or early childhood. It's extremely rare to catch it this late, and had it gone unnoticed for a few more years, it could have led to permanent hypertension, heart failure, or even stroke.''While the procedure itself was technically smooth due to precise pre-procedural planning based on CT imaging, the true complexity of this case lies in the delayed diagnosis. Identifying and successfully treating the condition in adolescence after years of being missed made it both clinically challenging and unique,' he added.Instead of open-heart surgery, the cardiology team opted for a minimally invasive coarctoplasty with stent placement, performed via the femoral artery. The outcome was excellent, and Mazin is expected to return to a full and active life.'The minimally invasive procedure involved the insertion of a balloon-mounted stent to open the narrowed section of the aorta. This approach avoids open surgery, reduces hospital stay, and ensures faster recovery — especially important for a young, active patient,' Dr. Naveed explained.Mazin's blood pressure normalised after the procedure, and he experienced a marked improvement in energy levels, resuming his daily activities within a day.'He is expected to return to sports and full physical activity within the next 4–6 weeks,' the doctor said.Expressing his heartfelt gratitude, Mazin said: 'Before the treatment, I felt tired all the time and couldn't play or do normal things like other kids. Now I feel healthy and strong again. I'm so grateful to Dr. Naveed and the team at Aster Hospital Mankhool for helping me get my life back.'His mother and brother, who accompanied him during treatment, also expressed deep appreciation toward Dr. Naveed and the entire medical and nursing staff for their care, compassion, and professionalism.
Speaking to Aletihad , Dr. Naveed urged parents to be alert to potential signs of heart defects in children. 'When the child suffers recurrent chest infections, severe shortness of breath while playing with friends, and has frequent episodes of passing out, parents should take the child to a doctor for a detailed clinical examination and then to a cardiologist to confirm if he has any heart issues.' 'It is very important to detect congenital heart disease as early as possible and get it treated. Delay in diagnosis and treatment leads to permanent changes in the body and makes treatment difficult or impossible,' he added.
On early detection, Dr. Naveed noted: 'Routine pre-natal ultrasound done during pregnancy to check for any congenital defects can sometimes detect heart defects, which later can be confirmed with fetal echocardiogram by a cardiologist.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UAE Moments
6 days ago
- UAE Moments
All About Best Hair Transplant in Dubai
Hair loss is a common concern for many men and women in Dubai. Whether it's due to genetics, stress, or medical conditions, hair thinning can impact your confidence and appearance. Fortunately, modern solutions like hair transplants offer a permanent fix. Dubai has become a leading destination for hair restoration treatments, thanks to its world-class clinics, skilled surgeons, and advanced technologies. In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about getting the best hair transplant in Dubai, from techniques and costs to results and recovery. What is a Hair Transplant? A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves moving hair follicles from a donor area (usually the back or sides of the scalp) to bald or thinning areas. The goal is to restore a natural-looking hairline and improve density. Hair transplants are considered permanent and minimally invasive, making them a popular solution for male pattern baldness and other types of hair loss. Types of Hair Transplant in Dubai FUE Hair Transplant Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is one of the most common techniques used in Dubai. It involves extracting individual hair follicles from the donor area and implanting them into the recipient area. FUE is known for: - Minimal scarring - Quick recovery time - Natural results DHI Hair Transplant Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) is a more refined version of FUE. It uses a specialized tool called a Choi Implanter Pen to extract and implant follicles directly, allowing for more precision. DHI offers: - Less downtime - Higher graft survival rate - No need to shave the entire head Robotic Hair Transplant Some clinics in Dubai offer robot-assisted FUE, which uses artificial intelligence to enhance precision in graft extraction. This option is gaining popularity for its efficiency and consistency. Sapphire FUE An advanced variation of FUE that uses sapphire blades instead of steel, resulting in: - Smaller incisions - Faster healing - Denser implantation Hair Transplantation Steps If you're considering undergoing a hair transplant procedure in Dubai, it's helpful to understand what the process generally involves. Below is an overview of what you can typically expect at each stage of the treatment: · Consultation & Evaluation: The surgeon assesses your scalp, discusses expectations, and chooses the best technique. · Preparation: Local anesthesia is applied, and the donor area is prepared. · Extraction: Hair follicles are harvested using FUE or DHI methods. · Implantation: Grafts are carefully implanted into the thinning or bald areas. · Post care: You'll receive aftercare instructions to ensure optimal healing and hair growth. Hair Transplant Before and After The results of a hair transplant don't appear overnight they require time, patience, and a proper post operative care routine. Typically, the full transformation unfolds gradually over several months. Here's a general timeline to help you understand what to expect after the procedure: - Week 1–2: Scabs form and fall off. - Month 1–2: Shedding of transplanted hair (normal phase). - Month 3–6: New hair begins to grow. - Month 6–12: Full growth and density become visible. Hair Transplant Side Effects Although the procedure is considered generally safe for most individuals, there is still the possibility of experiencing certain side effects. These may include, but are not limited to: - Swelling of the scalp - Itching or redness - Temporary hair shedding (shock loss) - Numbness or tingling sensation - Infection (rare with proper care) Hair Transplant Cost in Dubai Hair transplant costs in Dubai vary based on factors like the number of grafts, the technique used (FUE, DHI, etc.), and the clinic's reputation. Average prices range as follows: - FUE: AED 8,000 to AED 20,000 - DHI: AED 10,000 to AED 25,000 - Robotic or Sapphire FUE: AED 12,000 to AED 30,000+ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is non-surgical hair transplant in Dubai? Non-surgical hair transplant refers to alternative hair restoration methods that don't involve surgery. These include: - PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy - Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) - Laser therapy Can I use hair fibres after hair transplant? Yes, but only after the healing period is complete, usually 2 to 3 weeks post-surgery. Hair fibres can help conceal thinning areas while waiting for new hair to grow, but you should avoid them immediately after the procedure to prevent infection or irritation.
Tahawul Tech
18-07-2025
- Tahawul Tech
drone project Archives
Across hospitals, clinics, and health tech labs from Abu Dhabi to Zimbabwe, AI is not just making inroads; it's redrawing the entire map of medicine.
Al Etihad
15-07-2025
- Al Etihad
14-year-old Sudanese boy saved from congenital heart disease with minimally invasive surgery in Dubai
15 July 2025 18:47 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)A 14-year-old boy was treated at a UAE hospital for a rare congenital heart condition that had gone undetected since birth and could have proved fatal if left Muntassir, a Sudanese national, was brought to Aster Hospital Mankhool, Dubai, after experiencing persistent fatigue, a blackout episode, and elevated blood pressure — symptoms highly unusual for his age, a statement from the hospital initial cardiac assessment revealed signs of left ventricular hypertrophy, prompting advanced imaging, including ECG, echocardiogram, and CT aortography. These tests confirmed the presence of coarctation of the aorta (CoA), a congenital condition in which the aorta — the major artery carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body — is abnormally is a relatively common congenital heart defect, accounting for about 4–6% of all such cases, and estimated to occur in roughly 1 out of every 2,900 live prenatal diagnosis is possible, it remains challenging, particularly in isolated cases. The condition is more prevalent in males.'While CoA is relatively common among congenital heart defects, diagnosis at adolescence — like in Mazin's case — is exceptionally rare,' the statement said.'This condition is most often detected in infancy or early childhood. It is extremely rare to diagnose coarctation of the aorta at the age of 14, as was the case with Mazin, making this a highly uncommon case' said doctors at Aster Hospital who treated was under the care of Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Head of Cardiology at Aster Hospitals & Clinics UAE and Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Aster Hospital to about the case, Dr. Naveed said: 'CoA is typically diagnosed during infancy or early childhood. It's extremely rare to catch it this late, and had it gone unnoticed for a few more years, it could have led to permanent hypertension, heart failure, or even stroke.''While the procedure itself was technically smooth due to precise pre-procedural planning based on CT imaging, the true complexity of this case lies in the delayed diagnosis. Identifying and successfully treating the condition in adolescence after years of being missed made it both clinically challenging and unique,' he of open-heart surgery, the cardiology team opted for a minimally invasive coarctoplasty with stent placement, performed via the femoral artery. The outcome was excellent, and Mazin is expected to return to a full and active life.'The minimally invasive procedure involved the insertion of a balloon-mounted stent to open the narrowed section of the aorta. This approach avoids open surgery, reduces hospital stay, and ensures faster recovery — especially important for a young, active patient,' Dr. Naveed blood pressure normalised after the procedure, and he experienced a marked improvement in energy levels, resuming his daily activities within a day.'He is expected to return to sports and full physical activity within the next 4–6 weeks,' the doctor his heartfelt gratitude, Mazin said: 'Before the treatment, I felt tired all the time and couldn't play or do normal things like other kids. Now I feel healthy and strong again. I'm so grateful to Dr. Naveed and the team at Aster Hospital Mankhool for helping me get my life back.'His mother and brother, who accompanied him during treatment, also expressed deep appreciation toward Dr. Naveed and the entire medical and nursing staff for their care, compassion, and professionalism. Speaking to Aletihad , Dr. Naveed urged parents to be alert to potential signs of heart defects in children. 'When the child suffers recurrent chest infections, severe shortness of breath while playing with friends, and has frequent episodes of passing out, parents should take the child to a doctor for a detailed clinical examination and then to a cardiologist to confirm if he has any heart issues.' 'It is very important to detect congenital heart disease as early as possible and get it treated. Delay in diagnosis and treatment leads to permanent changes in the body and makes treatment difficult or impossible,' he added. On early detection, Dr. Naveed noted: 'Routine pre-natal ultrasound done during pregnancy to check for any congenital defects can sometimes detect heart defects, which later can be confirmed with fetal echocardiogram by a cardiologist.'
