local
No one else could take her case. El Paso Children’s Hospital did
By Special to El Paso Matters at El Paso Matters
· June 26, 2026
· 6 min read
When Erika Muñoz was 34 weeks pregnant, she received devastating news: her unborn daughter, Darleth, had been diagnosed with Vein of Galen malformation, an extremely rare and life-threatening vascular condition affecting blood vessels in the brain.
Today, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of...
Key takeaway Today, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of a multidisciplinary team at El Paso Children’s Hospital, Darleth is home with her family after overcoming one of the most complex pediatric cases the hospital has ever treated.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The successful treatment of Darleth's rare condition at El Paso Children's Hospital is a testament to the city's growing medical expertise. The fact that major pediatric centers across the country declined to take her case due to its complexity makes the hospital's achievement all the more notable. El Paso Children's Hospital's ability to coordinate care among multiple specialties, including neurology, neurosurgery, and cardiology, has given a local family a second chance. This case highlights the importance of having a comprehensive children's hospital in the city, where families can receive specialized care without having to travel far from home. The hospital's multidisciplinary team has set a high standard for pediatric care in the region, and their work will likely have a lasting impact on the community. As the city continues to grow, it is crucial that medical facilities like El Paso Children's Hospital remain equipped to handle complex cases like Darleth's.
About this story
Original reporting by El Paso Matters . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit El Paso Matters . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: El Paso Matters ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When Erika Muñoz was 34 weeks pregnant, she received devastating news: her unborn daughter, Darleth, had been diagnosed with Vein of Galen malformation, an extremely rare and life-threatening vascular condition affecting blood vessels in the brain.
Today, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by El Paso Matters and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Special to El Paso Matters at El Paso Matters. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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