Children's Medical Center of Dallas 7. Children's Hospital and Health Center, San Diego 9. C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor 10. In 1997, researchers started to use a round, honeycomblike apparatus, called the Amplatzer occlusion device, to plug holes in the heart's two upper chambers. Last year, they began using the device for holes in the lower chambers as well.
Doctors position the apparatus across the hole.
In most cases, the seal is complete by the next day, and the body's own tissues usually cover the device after a few months. Researchers are also investigating new treatments for babies with respiratory problems whose brains aren't receiving enough oxygen. As a result, the chamber would significantly reduce the risk of brain damage. The disease was the subject of the movie Lorenzo's Oil. But kids with this disease are usually beautiful and energetic.