Pioneering surgery saves life of baby Evelyn

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Evelyn began suffering terrible fits, during which she stopped breathing

She looks a picture of health but six months ago, baby Evelyn Huddy was diagnosed with a condition that meant she could die at any moment.

Today, thanks to groundbreaking surgery and the efforts of doctors from Great Ormond Street Hospital, she is able to enjoy life like any other child.

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When Evelyn fell ill, aged four months, her parents thought she had nothing more serious than a cold. But she began suffering terrible fits, during which she stopped breathing.

Doctors diagnosed Evelyn with a rare and dangerous condition called hyperinsulinism, where the pancreas malfunctions and causes blood sugar levels to drop.

Medication failed to stabilise her condition and eventually her medical team decided Evelyn's best hope was revolutionary surgery.

The technique uses keyhole surgery to remove the damaged area, which makes the pancreas function normally and gives the patient the chance to enjoy a normal life.

Evelyn's mother Jenny Huddy, 23, and father James Tomlinson, 24, who works in a motor auction house, described their anguish at seeing their daughter being taken in and out of hospital.

Ms Huddy, a nursery nurse from Nottingham, said: "Physically, it was so stressful. We had a couple of scares and we had to rush back to hospital. There were times when I was terrified."

Before Evelyn could undergo her operation the Great Ormond Street team needed to establish how much damage her pancreas had suffered. She was flown to Berlin, where a new scanner was used to take detailed pictures of her organs.

Fortunately, only a small portion of the pancreas was damaged and surgeons were able to remove it. The results were instantaneous.

All her medication was stopped and her blood sugar levels have remained stable.

Mrs Huddy said: "We were dancing around the room, we were so happy. Immediately after the operation, it was very hard to see her so forlorn.

Then, the next day, she was wide awake, giggling and playing in her cot. From that minute on her blood sugar was stable, she was fixed. It was stunning."

Consultant endocrinologist Dr Khalid Hussain said: "With the new [surgical] techniques we can find the focal point and remove it. It is a complete cure.

"Evelyn was a beautiful case and she is now a normal child."

There is a slight risk the condition will reappear but Evelyn, now 10 months old, is likely to lead a normal life.

• A fund has been set up to raise money for more research at www.hi-fund.org

 

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