Duke Fontan Program

The Duke Fontan Program welcomes children starting around age 10. Some children younger than 10 can be seen, depending on their individual circumstances. We take a team approach to your child’s care during each visit:

• Pediatric cardiologists work in tandem with your child’s primary cardiologist to ensure all surveillance testing is up to date and to optimize heart function. When specific heart-related problems arise, pediatric cardiac subspecialists provide additional expertise.
• Pediatric hepatologists optimize liver function and treat Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) and other liver problems.
• Pediatric nephrologists optimize kidney function and treat kidney problems.
• Pediatric pulmonologists optimize lung function and monitor passive blood flow to the lungs.
• Pediatric physical therapists and exercise physiologists monitor exercise capacity, develop personalized exercise programs, and help your child safely participate in sports and other physical activities.
• Pediatric registered dietitians make nutrition recommendations to decrease fluid retention, increase protein, reduce stress on the lymphatic system, and boost vitamin and mineral absorption.

After each visit, the medical team meets together to review your child’s test results and determine next steps.

Additional Specialists

Your child also has access to social workers, endocrinologists, hematologists, adolescent gynecologists, neurodevelopmental experts, psychiatrists, and other specialists as needed.

We Prioritize Your Convenience

Whenever possible, we arrange your child’s labs, tests, and specialist appointments on the same day. Apart from tests that take place close by, you and your child will stay in one clinic room while providers rotate in and out.

Smooth Transition to Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program

Around age 18, we start transitioning your child to our adult congenital heart disease program. Duke is one of about 60 programs in the U.S. that are accredited by the Adult Congenital Heart Association.

Nurse Coordinator Guides You

Our nurse coordinator helps schedule your child’s appointments, organize clinic visits, and communicate test results. They are available to answer all your questions.

We Partner with Your Child’s Cardiologist

We understand that you and your child have likely built a meaningful and trusted relationship with a general pediatric cardiologist. We partner with your child’s cardiologist, so your child can continue seeing their established doctor regularly and receive more advanced care at Duke when needed.