Pediatric Heart Disease

Our pediatric heart disease specialists provide specialized care for congenital and acquired heart disease, with coordinated support from diagnosis through adulthood.

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University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital’s pediatric heart disease team provides expert evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for children with congenital (present at birth) and acquired (developed later) heart disease. We care for patients from before birth through childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood, offering continuity and specialized care as needs change over time.

Our specialists deliver comprehensive heart care through one coordinated program, helping families avoid gaps in care and unnecessary travel. As the only team in Iowa providing full-spectrum care for children and adults born with heart defects, we offer access to advanced expertise and long‑term follow‑up close to home.

Lifelong heart care for children and families

From the earliest diagnosis through adulthood, your child’s care is guided by a team experienced in how heart conditions evolve over time. When a condition is identified before birth, we work closely with maternal–fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists to plan delivery and newborn care. After birth, pediatric cardiologists, surgeons, and advanced practice providers coordinate treatment and follow-up.

As your child grows, we provide ongoing care to support long‑term heart health. This may include monitoring, medical management, or surgery when needed. For children with more complex conditions, interstage monitoring programs offer education and support for families between surgeries, helping care continue smoothly at every stage.

Collaborative, whole-person care

Our pediatric heart disease program supports the whole child and family, with access to specialists who address nutrition, emotional health, development, and everyday needs. This team‑based approach helps families navigate care with added guidance and support throughout diagnosis, treatment, and follow‑up.

For families traveling from outside Iowa City, we help connect you with housing options, sibling support, and resources such as the Ronald McDonald House. Many members of our team are deeply connected to Iowa and committed to caring for families across the state. Our goal is for every child and parent to feel heard, supported, and cared for, regardless of the complexity of heart condition.

A minimally invasive approach to care

Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat pediatric heart conditions. Care often begins with noninvasive testing — such as an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram — to evaluate heart rhythm and structure. When additional detail is needed, advanced imaging helps guide treatment while limiting risk.

Many conditions that once required open‑heart surgery can now be treated using catheter‑based procedures. These approaches may involve smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery. Our specialists perform minimally invasive treatments for even very small and medically complex patients, including closing heart defects in tiny infants and placing heart valves without open surgery. When surgery or long‑term support is needed, care is closely coordinated with heart failure, electrophysiology, and transplant teams to guide the most appropriate treatment plan.