Parents’ agony as ‘miracle’ baby dies
GIRL BORN IN TOILET HAD A RARE CONDITION
THE parents of a ‘miracle’ baby girl have been left heartbroken after she died in hospital just months after being born.
Hannah Muskett and Lewis Brittain, both 21, didn’t know they were pregnant until Hannah gave birth to their daughter Ava-Louise in a hospital toilet in September last year.
The couple, from Tameside, were shocked to discover Ava’s presence, but were said to have been besotted with her from the moment she was born.
Shortly after her birth, doctors diagnosed little Ava with a very rare genetic condition called Alagille Syndrome – which would require a liver transplant.
Both Hannah and Lewis were a match and volunteered to be a donor, but it was mum who took the decision to give a part of her liver to Ava.
The surgery was initially a success and Ava’s body accepted the new liver, but sometime afterwards she went into kidney failure and developed sepsis. She died a few days later on June 1.
Her family have paid tribute to their ‘miracle’ baby girl, who they described as the “happiest, smiliest and sassiest” baby in spite of her condition and everything she’d been battling.
Her aunties, Sammie, Chloe and Becky, have since launched a gofundme page to help raise money to be able to buy a permanent memorial for Ava.
Any extra money will be donated to Allagile Syndrome Alliance.
Speaking to the M.E.N, Samantha said: “We are all broken and are supporting each other and being there for Hannah and Lewis – especially for Hannah because she now has the scar from the transplant as a reminder.”
“Ava developed kidney failure and sepsis,” Samantha said.
“She died on June 1 at 2am. Her mum and dad were there, both sets of grandparents and me and my sister followed and said goodbye.
“Her mum and dad are only 21. They spent both their 21st birthdays in hospital with Ava.
“They lived in a hotel in Leeds whilst she was at Leeds Children’ Hospital.
“Hannah and Lewis were in real shock when Ava was born but from the moment they met her they were over the moon.
“They have been by her side every day.
“She was loved dearly by all her family and both families are broken, life will never be the same without her infectious smile and beautiful face.”