Critical diagnosis

Teamwork gave Liberty Ingram a fighting chance

Three-year-old Liberty Ingram is always on the go. At any moment, she can be found playing with her dog, Jack, or helping her four older brothers and parents milk the cows at their dairy farm in Windthorst, Texas. But, just a couple of months ago, sudden life-threatening symptoms stopped Liberty in her tracks.

On a typical morning at the Ingram's farm, Liberty suddenly became listless with shallow breathing. Her mother, Michelle, immediately called the paramedics and rushed her to the local fire station. There, she was noted to have an extremely low blood glucose level.

Her condition quickly worsened to generalized seizures. When an ambulance failed to arrive, Michelle and Tony Ingram drove Liberty to a nearby hospital where Liberty was diagnosed with Addison's disease — primary adrenal deficiency — which causes low blood pressure and low blood sugar.

Three-year-old Liberty Ingram is back on track after being treated at Children's for sudden life-threatening symptoms.

Multiple specialists needed

"Liberty was extremely sick upon arrival at the outside hospital," said Dr. Perrin White, chief of Endocrinology at Children's and one of the doctors who treated Liberty after she was transferred to Children's. "Her body was in a state of severe shock and she had dangerously low blood pressure, low blood sugar and swelling of the entire body, including her brain."

While at the other hospital, Liberty developed a blood clot in the femoral artery in her leg. Because that hospital was not equipped to treat this problem, Liberty was transferred to Children's — the only pediatric hospital in North Texas that provides interventional radiology. Children's also had a team of specialists ready to attend to her Addison's disease.

Physicians at Children's administered medications to stabilize Liberty's blood pressure and her clot was resolved, successfully restoring blood flow to the leg. Liberty's healing continued with care from endocrinologists, infectious disease and surgical specialists, neurologists and the critical care team.

Keeping it up

Liberty continues to receive treatment at Children's to stay ahead of Addison's disease. She takes hydrocortisone to keep blood sugar levels up and fludrocortisone, a salt-retaining hormone, to help her retain normal levels of sodium.

"Liberty is a very happy, loving child," Dr. White said. "I expect her to lead a fulfilling life as she continues to make progress."

A Christmas to remember

In February, Liberty celebrated Christmas with her family and even received a late visit from Santa Claus. Now she is well on her way to riding in style on her favorite gift — a pink peddle tractor.

"Watching Liberty unwrap gifts and knowing that she almost didn't make it was overwhelming," Michelle said. "I couldn't imagine life without her. It has made us appreciate the little things in life and not take anything for granted."