Mum heartbroken after tiny newborn baby placed on transplant list after being diagnosed with rare disease
25.04.2024 - 04:03
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
The mum of a tiny baby on the transplant list is desperately hoping a donor will be found to save her little girl's life.
Five-month-old Helin Dinler now needs a liver donor or she will not see her second birthday. The newborn was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia - a rare liver disease that blocks the bile ducts - shortly after birth.
Her heartbroken mum Anna Shushura, from Stirling, said doctors realised something was wrong when her daughter, who was born weighing a healthy 9lbs, began losing weight.
At six-weeks-old she underwent surgery on her liver at Leeds Children's Hospital but it was unsuccessful.
Her devastated parents have now issued a public appeal to find a liver donor.
Mum-of-two Anna, 36, told the Record: "Helin's diagnosis was heartbreaking.
"I had a normal pregnancy and when she was born she seemed healthy and looked perfect.
"We couldn't believe it when doctors told us she was so poorly. We were in shock."
She continued: "She wasn't putting on weight and we began to worry. Our health visitor sent us to the hospital for blood tests.
"Then she was sent for an ultrasound which discovered the disease."
Helin has been in hospital for the last two months and will not be able to leave until she receives a transplant.
Tragically her family including mum, dad Ozkan and her nine-year-old sister Veronika do not fit the requirements for organ donation.
They are now appealing for a life saving match to come forward.
She added: "We are still searching for her life saver.
"We have received several applications from people wanting to help and doctors are hoping that one of them is a match, but at the moment we are not certain.
"She needs the surgery before her first birthday. We are hoping for a miracle.
"I am with Helin in