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Specialty pediatric care
Young boy’s family grateful for local expertise

At age 2-1/2, Mason Mrdutt is a happy and observant little boy. Born with a genetic condition
known as velocardiofacial syndrome, or VCFS, he has received care from almost all of the
pediatric specialties at Marshfield Clinic.
The son of Jen and Chris Mrdutt (pronounced mer-DUTE) of Mosinee has had care from
pediatric specialists in cardiology, gastroenterology, genetics, immunology, physical medicine,
otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), neurology and speech pathology.
His young life got off to a rough start from the time he was born in Wausau and his parents
noticed he had rapid breathing and sweating. On day 3 a heart murmur was detected, and they
were urged to take him to a pediatric heart specialist in Madison. When they balked at traveling
so far with a newborn during a typical Wisconsin January, they were instead referred to Peter
Dyke, M.D., a pediatric cardiologist at Marshfield Clinic.
Several tests showed that Mason had four heart deformities, some of which had to be surgically
corrected. He was checked by a geneticist, who ordered specialized blood tests that revealed he
was missing part of chromosome 22 and some of the genes it carries. He later was treated for
severe reflux and failure to thrive, a seizure disorder, cerebral palsy, a speech disorder and other
problems.
“We’re so grateful we went to Marshfield,” Chris Mrdutt said.
Added Jen Mrdutt, “The first two weeks were crucial for keeping on top of things. They could
have gotten a lot worse. It was rough in the beginning when we got the call from genetics, but
we already kind of knew.” Mason has made incremental progress since then but still has muscles
that do not function the way they should. When his parents help him walk, his legs “scissor”
underneath him. And though he can hear and see stimuli, he can’t verbally react to them.
“The delays are hard,” his father admitted. “But he’s such a happy kid. If things are shut off,
they’re shut off to happy because he’s always smiling and giggling. The doctors told us most
VCFS kids are usually in a good mood.”
Jen Mrdutt compared Mason to a nine-month-old in terms of development. “But he notices
everything. He can tell when we’re going past my parents’ farm and he’ll get all upset that we’re
not pulling in, but when he realizes we’re going to his cousins’ place, he’s all happy again. And
he does enough new things that we don’t get frustrated.”
The child’s medical “home” is at Marshfield Clinic Wausau Center, through Pediatrician Lori
Shepherd, M.D. She has an interest in children with special health care needs.
“I’m an advocate and the lead person in my patients’ care. That’s how I see my relationship with
the child and his other providers,” she said. She has made emergency referrals for Mason on
several occasions.
“She’s been fantastic,” Jen Mrdutt said of Dr. Shepherd. The doctor returned the compliment,
saying “They’ve been wonderful parents. I’m always amazed by what parents can do.”
Dr. Dyke sees Mason only once a year now at Weston Center, because the child’s heart problems
have been largely resolved. He too credits the parents for handling an incredibly difficult
situation.
“We’re trained to do it but the parents’ job is harder than ours,” he said. “All parents have hopes
and dreams for their kids, but theirs are different now, and it must have been a hard realization
over the last couple of years. Still, he’s in good hands and they love him unconditionally.”
That certainly appears to be true. “People ask us how we handle it,” Jen Mrdutt said. “But he’s
our child. How can we not do it?”