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UAE: Teen detected with life-threatening disease, almost mistaken for asthma
He was successfully treated for rare congenital heart condition that had gone undetected since birth
- PUBLISHED: Fri 11 Jul 2025, 6:00 AM
A mother's persistence and taking popular advice to 'regularly monitor children from a young age to detect diseases early' and to 'consult different doctors' proved to be lifesaving. Her son was successfully treated for a rare congenital heart condition that had gone undetected since birth.
Um Mazen’s words come after Mazin Muntassir Hassan, a 14-year-old Sudanese boy, underwent successful treatment for coarctation of the aorta, a potentially fatal congenital heart defect that affects only 1 in every 2,900 live births.
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The case highlights the critical importance of parental awareness and seeking multiple medical opinions, as the condition was initially misdiagnosed as asthma or chest infections for years before the family’s persistence led to the correct diagnosis and life-saving treatment.
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Mother's intuition
Um Mazen recalls the challenging journey that led to her son’s diagnosis. “At the age of three, while playing, he would wheeze and cough incessantly. We thought it was a chest infection or asthma. Since I had it, I assumed my son had the same problem. All the doctors we visited prescribed us cough medicine,” she explained.
The breakthrough moment came through an unexpected discovery. “Once, Mazen grabbed his father’s blood pressure device and indicated that his pressure was high. We thought there was a problem with the device, but when we went to the pharmacist and measured his pressure, it was also high,” Um Mazen recounted.
This led the family to seek further medical evaluation. “We went for an appointment with one of the doctors at Aster Hospital Mankhool, and he saw that there was a narrowing in the artery, which was revealed in the scans,” she added.
Rare condition diagnosed in adolescence
Mazin experienced persistent fatigue, a blackout episode, and elevated blood pressure — symptoms highly unusual for his age. The patient was under the care of Dr Naveed Ahmed, Head of Cardiology at Aster Hospitals & Clinics UAE and Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Aster Hospital Mankhool.
An initial cardiac assessment revealed signs of left ventricular hypertrophy, prompting advanced imaging, including ECG, echocardiogram, and CT aortography.
These comprehensive tests confirmed the presence of coarctation of the aorta, a congenital condition where the aorta — the major artery carrying blood from the heart to the body — is abnormally narrowed.
Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a relatively common congenital heart defect in children, accounting for about 4-6 per cent of all congenital heart defects.
However, what made Mazin’s case particularly unusual was the late diagnosis. This condition is most often detected in infancy or early childhood, making diagnosis at age 14 extremely rare.
Medical expertise and advanced treatment
Dr Naveed Ahmed emphasised the rarity and complexity of the case. “Coarctation of the aorta is typically diagnosed during infancy or early childhood. It’s extremely rare to catch it this late, and had it gone unnoticed for a few more years, it could have led to permanent hypertension, heart failure, or even stroke,” he explained.
“While the procedure itself was technically smooth due to precise pre-procedural planning based on CT imaging, the true complexity of this case lies in the delayed diagnosis. Identifying and successfully treating the condition in adolescence after years of being missed made it both clinically challenging and unique,” Dr. Ahmed added.
Instead of open-heart surgery, the cardiology team opted for a minimally invasive coarctoplasty with stent placement, performed via the femoral artery.
The minimally invasive procedure involved the insertion of a balloon-mounted stent to open the narrowed section of the aorta. This approach avoids open surgery, reduces hospital stay, and ensures faster recovery — all of which proved vital for a young, active patient.
The outcome was excellent, with Mazin’s blood pressure normalising post-procedure and a noticeable improvement in his energy levels. He resumed his daily activities within a day and is anticipated to return to sports and full physical activity within the next 4-6 weeks.
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude, Mazin said, “Before the treatment, I felt tired all the time and couldn’t play or do normal things like other kids. Now I feel healthy and strong again. I’m so grateful to Dr. Naveed and the team at Aster Hospital Mankhool for helping me get my life back.”
Um Mazen’s experience has led her to become an advocate for parental vigilance. “Today, my son is stable and better after the surgery, but he definitely needs follow-up and medication. I advise parents to regularly monitor their children from a young age to catch any problems early and to consult different doctors,” she emphasised.
If this condition had remained undetected for a few more years, it could have led to irreversible complications such as chronic hypertension, elevated stroke risk, heart failure, and significantly reduced life expectancy.
With timely intervention, Mazin is now expected to lead a normal life with routine follow-ups.
Understanding coarctation of the aorta
Coarctation of the aorta is more prevalent in males than females, affecting a higher percentage of male births.
Prenatal diagnosis of CoA is possible but challenging, with a low detection rate for isolated cases before birth. The condition occurs in about 1 out of every 2,900 live births, making it a significant concern in paediatric cardiology.
Ruqayya Alqaydi is a Special Correspondent with an endless curiosity to learn. Like a journalist on a caffeine overdrive, she is fuelled by passion and on a mission to uncover every gem in the UAE.
