Jessica's best birthday present - the gift of life

Tiny Jessica Cryer's life hung in the balance after she was struck down by the crippling effects of liver disease.

The tot became desperately ill as doctors frantically sought a suitable donor.

At just six months old, she underwent a life-or-death liver transplant at a Birmingham hospital.

Today Jessica, of Kenilworth Drive, Earby, was playing with her new birthday presents after celebrating her big day yesterday.

When she was born, her mum, Clair, instinctively felt that something was wrong.

Jessica developed jaundice, but initially a range of health experts said nothing was amiss and that Clair was suffering from post-natal depression.

At six weeks old, Jessica was diagnosed as having biliary atresia, a condition where the bile ducts have become damaged preventing drainage of bile from the liver. Two weeks later, she had surgery to refashion the ducts to allow the bile to drain away.

But the operation was unsuccessful and it was revealed that Jessica needed a new liver.

She eventually had the transplant at the Children's Hospital in Birmingham.

Clair said: "She was very ill and in intensive care. She had all the side effects, including big sores on her body.

"At one point, she was given just hours to live. She had the transplant in the nick of time."

The Children's Liver Disease Foundation is aiming to raise awareness that the condition can seriously affect children.

Its Yellow Alert campaign is calling for tests if jaundice in newborn youngsters is prolonged beyond 14 days.

The foundation says about 50 per cent of health visitors are not aware of the need for urgent action if jaundice is prolonged.

Spokeswoman Gill Kinvey said parents also needed to be aware of the problem so they can persuade their GPs to take action.

For more information call the foundation on 0121 643 7282.

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