In Clinton Township, Michigan, a young boy named Grant Maristela faced a life-changing health crisis. Initially, what seemed like a case of food poisoning quickly spiraled into a serious condition that led to multiple organ failures.
During American Heart Month, CBS News Detroit spoke to Grant’s family and his doctor about the rare heart disease he battled.
At just three years old, Grant ingested E. coli, which landed him in the emergency room. His father, Gerard Maristela, recalls that Grant spent about four weeks in the intensive care unit. This was when doctors discovered he had kidney failure, requiring daily dialysis. Three months later, his condition worsened, and the planned kidney transplant had to be postponed.
“The routine heart exam revealed a deeper issue,” Gerard explained. Doctors diagnosed Grant with cardiomyopathy, a condition characterized by weakened heart muscle. Dr. Swati Sehgal, a pediatric heart failure expert from Children’s Hospital of Michigan, explained that these issues can arise in children with kidney disease, especially those undergoing dialysis.
Sehgal said, “When I first met him, his heart function was severely reduced. Kids can develop heart muscle weakness over time if they are on dialysis.” This diagnosis weighed heavily on the family. “Why is this happening to Grant? How will we get through this?” asked Candice Maristela, Grant’s mother.
It took nearly two years of treatment, including medications and echocardiograms, before Grant’s heart began to function normally. With optimism and support from medical professionals, Grant finally received a kidney transplant on August 22, 2024. Today, he is healthy and full of life, enjoying activities like tennis and baseball.
“The journey was tough, but our teamwork with the doctors and our faith kept us going,” Gerard said. Dr. Sehgal added that this teamwork was critical. “I believe it played a significant role not just in his recovery but also in his enjoyment of life.”
According to the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation, around 25 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with this condition each week. This heart disease is one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac arrest among young people. If parents have concerns about their child’s heart health, Sehgal urges them to seek medical advice promptly.
For more information on childhood heart conditions, you can visit the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation.
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Health, Detroit, E. coli, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Michigan, Heart Disease
