From the Middle East to America: Baby Sophia's Journey to Children’s Hospital New Orleans for Life-Saving Heart Care

Jeremy and Smaranda McCaslin always knew they had more than enough love between them to share with a baby. But after several heartbreaking miscarriages, they were hesitant to try again. They almost decided to resign themselves to just traveling the world, the two of them. 

When Smaranda found out she was pregnant again, the couple, who live in Oman, were cautiously optimistic. Although they had faced many challenges before, they held onto hope. 

Overseas, Smaranda’s doctors treated her appropriately as high risk due to her history of miscarriage and age. Every three weeks she had an ultrasound to ensure the well-being of her baby. Bad news came at the 18th week; the baby had two congenital heart issues.  

Smaranda’s medical knowledge and motherly instinct immediately drove her to begin searching for the medical care her baby would need. 

Her medical training was invaluable. Smaranda graduated from medical school and had just finished her first year of internal medicine residency when Jeremy’s work transferred them to the Middle East. Although she decided to pause her pursuit of becoming a physician, her medical background enabled her to process information about the baby’s condition with the expertise of a doctor. 

The baby was diagnosed in utero with coarctation of the aorta with aortic arch hypoplasia. Coarctation of the aorta (COA) means the body’s largest artery, the aorta, is narrowed. This condition makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the organs and often can restrict blood flow to the head and arms. Hypoplastic aortic arch is a blockage in the aorta that makes it difficult for the ascending and descending aorta to align. While hypoplasia can occur on its own, it often happens in babies with COA. 

With the diagnosis, Smaranda and Jeremy, born and raised in Louisiana, were determined to do everything in their power to ensure their daughter received the cardiac care she needed. Being in the second trimester gave them more faith that the pregnancy would be carried to full term. 

“Doctor Mom” immediately started contacting fellow doctors she knew in the United States and got recommendations for where she should go for the baby’s surgery, which was expected to be necessary shortly after birth. They heard great things about congenital heart specialist and surgeon Frank Pigula, MD, a congenital heart specialist and surgeon at Children’s Hospital New Orleans.  

At 30 weeks, Smaranda flew to NOLA to spend time with family and make sure she was not caught off guard by going into early labor. She met with Dr. Pigula and took a tour of the hospital, particularly of the CICU (cardiac intensive care unit). Two months later, at 39 weeks, baby Sophia Claire was born on Feb. 25, 2024, and was transferred to Children’s Hospital New Orleans where Dr. Pigula performed surgery a week later on March 1. 

Children’s Hospital New Orleans keeps parents informed every step of the way during surgical procedures using an app. “I was able to stay on top of what was happening thanks to that app. Dr. Pigula was everything I thought he was going to be. I can’t thank him enough for being such a compassionate, thorough, efficient, and confident surgeon. He exceeded my expectations.” 

Smaranda said she doesn’t have enough time to say all the good things there are to mention about Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “Everything was wonderful at Children’s. The nurses and doctors evaluated Sophia right after she was born. We had the best room in the house – right in front of the nurses station! Everyone was very confident and kind. I truly felt the NOLA hospitality.” 

She said the nurses did an “incredible job taking care of my baby.”  She is so thankful for the knowledge and skills displayed by the doctors and nurses. 

“Anything we needed, they knew what to do right away. They were so knowledgeable and clearly experienced. They were really able to calm me down when I was really stressed out. They let me know that this was part of the process. They were extremely supportive of both me and Jeremy.” 

The family returned to their home in Oman in May. Sophia may need additional care, but she is currently growing and thriving. If she needs future cardiac care, the family will handle that as it comes. 

The baby is doing well, gaining weight and loving food. “She is an incredibly sweet baby and full of life,” mom said.  

What does the future hold for this little world traveler? Smaranda’s hope is that she grows into her own knowing that she is very brave, strong-willed, charismatic and charming.  

“When she goes through difficult things later in life, I hope she is able to rely on the strength she has already shown us. I want her to know she can do anything she sets her mind to and that she finds happiness and joy. She already has what it takes to succeed.” 

For more information on the cardiology program at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, please visit: https://www.chnola.org/services/heart-center/heart-center-programs.