Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Facts: Ohio Teen Dies On School’s First Day

An Ohio teen, who had received a heart transplant earlier this year, died Thursday on the first day of his school, an hour after he posed for the school photo, reports said.

Peyton West, 13, who had a successful heart transplant in March this year, was born with a rare heart condition called the Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). He had also undergone three open-heart surgeries within five years of his birth.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. As the baby develops during pregnancy, the left side of the heart does not form correctly. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is one type of congenital heart defect. Congenital means present at birth."

HLHS is said to affect several structures on the left side of the heart that do not develop completely. These structures include:

1. The left ventricle which might be underdeveloped and too small.

2. The mitral valves might not be formed properly and are very small in size. Similarly, the aortic valve might also not be formed or be very small in size. The ascending portion of the aorta might be underdeveloped or also be too small.

CDC also states that "often babies born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome also have an atrial septal defect which is a hole between the left and right upper chambers (atria) of the heart."

In a baby whose heart develops normally and does not suffer from such a congenital defect, their right side of the heart pumps oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs while the left side pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. This helps the heart to function effectively.

In West's case, his parents often expressed concern that their son would have complications after the surgery, however, he was said to be doing well till Thursday. West's father, Corey said nothing appeared to be wrong when they got ready to leave for the first day of school. West was supposed to start with the eighth grade. On their way to the school, West told his father: "I don’t feel right. Something’s wrong."

He went to the school and was a part of the first-day traditional photo, following which he fell sick and was rushed to the hospital. West passed away around 10:45 a.m. EDT on Thursday.

"He was perfect last night," Corey told WCPO. "Perfect this morning. And then…it’s just precious. Life is precious."

A prayer vigil was held in the 13-year-old's honor Thursday night. The superintendent of his school said that West was "truly a joy to everyone’s path he crossed."

His family also told WCPO that he was a football lover and was a great fan of FC Cincinnati. West acquired his love for the team from Derek Cisneros, the boy whose heart was donated to him during his transplant in March.

Goshen Schools, where West studied, sent a message to parents after his demise.

"Peyton’s courage and wonderful personality are well-known to the entire Goshen community, and his loss is deeply felt by all. We all loved Peyton and we are truly heartbroken by this loss," the message read, the Epoch Times reported.