When 2-year-old Sebastian Sylvain started consistently throwing up after eating, his parents never suspected that he might have a heart problem. “He couldn't keep food down for a period of about two weeks,” said his mother, Maria.

Sebastian seemed weak and dehydrated, so his dad, Clifford, a supervisor in the material department at Northwell Health, took him to see pediatrician Thomas Shim, MD, who discovered that the boy’s resting heart rate was 238 beats per minute—which was quite alarming. Children Sebastian’s age typically have a resting heart rate of 80 to 130 beats per minute.

“It felt like his heart was beating out of his chest,” said Clifford. Dr. Shim told the Ozone Park, New York, couple to rush their son to the emergency department (ED) at Cohen Children's Medical Center. There, Sebastian was moved to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for monitoring. Doctors prescribed medications to lower his heart rate, but they didn’t work well.

Sebastian was then evaluated by Andrew Blaufox, MD, a pediatric cardiologist, who diagnosed him with congenital junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET), an abnormal heart rhythm that children are born with that can be fatal. “We were told it’s extremely rare,” said Maria. “Sebastian was born with a different heartbeat,” she added. As a result of her son’s condition, his kidneys and liver were beginning to shut down.

Because medication alone wasn’t effective in lowering Sebastian’s heart rate, Dr. Blaufox explained that an ablation, a procedure that destroys the heart tissue causing the arrythmia, would be necessary.

“Everything happened so fast,” said Maria. “I was thinking, ‘What do you mean he needs heart surgery?’ I just thought my son was throwing up. I didn’t realize all of this was going to happen.”

Sebastian underwent a four-hour procedure in which Dr. Blaufox inserted a catheter—a long, thin flexible tube—through a blood vessel and into the heart in order to locate and freeze the tissue that was causing Sebastian’s heart to beat irregularly. “Dr. Blaufox saved Sebastian’s life,” said Maria, who also is grateful to the team in the ED who first alerted Dr. Blaufox to Sebastian’s condition, and to pediatric cardiologist Elizabeth Mitchell, MD.

The first day after surgery, Maria and Clifford were still in shock from the experience. “But about a week after surgery, Sebastian was pretty functional and active,” said Clifford. “Doctors didn’t restrict him from his activities.” Dancing, counting and singing the alphabet song are some of his favorite pastimes. The procedure was largely successful, and according to Dr. Blaufox, Sebastian will likely be able to wean off of his daily heart medications soon.

“He’s a very active kid, and we continue to watch him closely,” said Clifford, adding that Sebastian was able to return to preschool in the months before the coronavirus lockdown. He also frequently sees Dr. Blaufox for follow-up tests such an electrocardiogram to assess the electrical activity of the heart and imaging tests.

“The experience definitely affected us emotionally, but at the same time, it brought the family closer together,” said Clifford. “We don’t take anything for granted. We’re very happy things are going the way they are and very fortunate.” Clifford said Sebastian’s heart is growing bigger and stronger every day.

“The care from Dr. Blaufox and his team was incredible,” said Clifford. “He definitely put us at peace with his expertise, calmness and delivery of information. He made this experience a lot easier to go through.”