Seven-year-old Roman is a three-season athlete, who also enjoys a hip hop gymnastics class and is known as “The Mayor” at his elementary school. He was also born with a severe congenital heart defect called complete atrioventricular canal (CAVC), a condition in which there is a large hole in the tissue that separates the left and right sides of the heart, requiring surgery within the first few months of life. “If it wasn’t for his lifesaving surgery,” says Roman’s mom, Sarah, “he wouldn’t be the kid he is today.”

When Sarah was pregnant with Roman, an ultrasound showed a problem with the baby’s heart and indications of Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). A fetal echocardiogram the following day at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Allentown Cardiac Center showed a hole in Roman’s heart.

Roman was born in Allentown, PA, near the family’s home. Testing after birth confirmed Trisomy 21 and the CAVC diagnosis. Robert A. Palermo, DO, FACC, a pediatric cardiologist in CHOP’s Allentown Cardiac Center, met with the family the next day. 

“He drew me a picture to help me understand Roman’s heart condition,” says Sarah. “I was a mess. It was such a relief talking to him.”

“We trusted him,” adds Roman’s dad, Hector.

Top-ranked cardiac care, close to home

Roman didn’t require surgery immediately after birth. During this time, he was treated with medication and received regular echocardiograms at the Allentown Cardiac Center, the only certified pediatric echo sonography lab in the Lehigh Valley and Pocono region. Because of Roman’s poor circulation, his skin began to appear purple, and he tired easily, especially after eating. “His heart had to work so hard,” remembers Sarah.

At 3 months old, Roman underwent a heart repair at CHOP. Though Sarah and Hector were prepared for a long recovery, Roman was discharged only four days later. “He bounced back quickly,” says Sarah.

With the Allentown Cardiac Center less than 15 minutes from the family’s home in Catasauqua, P.A., follow-up visits with Dr. Palermo are easily accessible. Now, Roman only visits the practice annually.

“The whole staff is amazing,” says Sarah. “They are so patient with Roman. He’s a great judge of character, and he really likes Dr. Palermo.”

Every year, on the anniversary of Roman’s surgery, Sarah writes a social post about how grateful she is to CHOP for saving Roman’s life. “Roman makes a positive impact on everyone he meets,” she says. “If you know him, you love him.”