Mom’s CPR training saves toddler who suffered sudden cardiac arrest at home

As parents of toddlers, it’s natural to worry about sleep habits and sniffles, but heart failure is usually not a concern. However, for one family in Illinois, the unimaginable happened when their 2-year-old son went into sudden cardiac arrest in the middle of the night.

Stephanie and Kris Thomas were awakened by their son’s screams one night. Rushing into his room, they were met with a terrifying sight as their usually soundly sleeping child was face-planting into his crib. Initially thinking it was a night terror, Stephanie sat next to his crib trying to calm him down, only to realize that his breathing was slowing down. In a panic, she performed CPR while Kris called 911.

Their son was rushed to OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, where after 11 days of testing, he was diagnosed with Brugada syndrome, a rare heart condition that can cause sudden cardiac arrest and death. The condition often goes undetected until a cardiac arrest occurs, making it even more frightening for the Thomases.

The young boy was implanted with an EV-ICD, an extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, which is designed to detect and correct abnormal heart rhythms. Despite this, he has been hospitalized multiple times due to arrhythmias, receiving life-saving shocks from his device each time.

The family has had to navigate these terrifying episodes with a 2-year-old who doesn’t fully understand what’s happening. The boy’s mother, Stephanie, emphasized the importance of CPR training, being alert to warning signs, and having an emergency plan in place. She also stressed the importance of keeping him healthy, as even slight illnesses like a cold can trigger his arrhythmias.

As a healthcare employee, Stephanie had maintained her Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for over 10 years, never thinking she would need to use it on her own child. The Thomases now aim to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for emergencies, especially when dealing with a rare and life-threatening condition like Brugada syndrome.

Their story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of health emergencies and the importance of being prepared for the unexpected, even with young children. The Thomases continue to navigate their son’s condition with strength and determination, advocating for awareness and understanding in the face of such a challenging diagnosis.