When Charlotte Jones heard her daughter Orla cough just once, an overwhelming maternal instinct told her something was seriously wrong. That single moment of intuition would ultimately save the toddler from a rare and potentially fatal heart condition known as double aortic arch.
The 31-year-old mother from Bristol noticed her daughter's breathing had become increasingly noisy and laboured, with doctors initially dismissing it as common childhood asthma. But Charlotte's persistent concerns about the distinctive sound of Orla's cough and breathing patterns would prove crucial in getting to the truth.
The Terrifying Diagnosis
After pushing for further investigation, medical specialists discovered Orla had a double aortic arch - an extremely rare congenital condition where the aorta, the body's main artery, forms a ring that can constrict the windpipe and oesophagus. This 'vascular ring' was slowly tightening around the toddler's airways, creating what doctors described as a 'silent killer' situation.
'I just knew it wasn't normal,' Charlotte recalled. 'The sound was different from a regular cough - it was almost like a bark. When they told us what it was, we were terrified. We'd never heard of this condition before.'
Life-Saving Surgery at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
Orla underwent emergency surgery at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where cardiac specialists performed a delicate procedure to divide the vascular ring and relieve pressure on her airways. The complex operation required splitting Orla's breastbone and carefully navigating around critical structures.
The surgery proved successful, and after a challenging recovery period, Orla has made remarkable progress. 'The difference was almost immediate,' Charlotte explained. 'Her breathing became quiet for the first time since she was born. We could finally see her breathing normally.'
Recognising the Warning Signs
Medical experts emphasise that double aortic arch symptoms can often be mistaken for more common childhood conditions. Key warning signs parents should watch for include:
- Noisy, laboured breathing (stridor)
- A distinctive barking cough
- Difficulty feeding or swallowing
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Bluish skin colour during feeding
Charlotte hopes sharing Orla's story will raise awareness about this rare condition and encourage other parents to trust their instincts when something doesn't seem right with their child's health.
'As parents, we know our children better than anyone,' she said. 'If I hadn't pushed for answers, we might not have Orla here with us today. That thought still haunts me.'
