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This little Jewish boy’s story shows there is hope for cystic fibrosis sufferers

A breakthrough for some who suffer with the inherited condition that causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs

January 16, 2025 12:42
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At nearly three years old, Baker is a healthy-looking, active toddler, but it could have been very different. Five weeks after he was born, his mother Caroline Harmer took an unexpected call from a health visitor. Could she book in an urgent visit? Something had been spotted in the results of Baker’s heel prick test – the routine blood screening all newborn babies have.

“I got really panicky, and I was crying because I was just didn’t know what was going on,” recalls Caroline. It turned out that Baker had been born with cystic fibrosis (CF). The news came as a hammer blow. “It was awful,” she says.

Doctors at the Royal London Hospital explained that CF is an inherited condition that causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. Over time symptoms worsen and eventually stop the lungs working properly, which means that life expectancy is reduced. Though one in 25 people carry the genetic mutation for CF, it’s not unless both parents carry it that a child can get the illness.

Baker with mum and dad Jon and Caroline[Missing Credit]

Baker is Caroline’s first child and her partner Jon’s third. The pair from Loughton in Essex had to quickly learn to dose him with enzymes and medications, how to use nebulisers and to do daily physiotherapy. They took Baker to regular clinic appointments with an array of nurses and physiotherapists, dietitians, psychologists and consultants. Despite the excellent care, they also found themselves having to deal with their baby son’s frequent lung infections that would land him in hospital.

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Health