Three-year-old boy's mystery condition which stops him eating and drinking has doctors baffled
A little boy may never be able to eat or drink due to a mystery condition which has baffled doctors.
At four months old, Harley Duddin was diagnosed with silent aspiration – which means all the food and drink he eats goes to his lungs.
It followed a frightening few months for parents Kimberley and Luke Duddin who had rushed their newborn into hospital with infections, pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
His devoted mum has previously spoke about the terrifying moment they had to call for an ambulance when their little one suddenly stopped breathing.
Now, aged three, Harley is thriving but despite countless tests and numerous operations, doctors haven’t been able to discover what the cause of the silent aspiration is.
Being so young it’s difficult to explain to Harley why he can’t eat or drink and celebrations such as Christmas, Halloween and Easter – which revolve around food – are particularly difficult times.
Last year, Harley, who is nil by mouth and fed through a tube into his stomach, was in hospital for a double operation in the run up to Christmas and it inspired his parents to fundraise for a toy appeal.
"He’s a mystery. Doctors still don’t know why he can’t eat or drink,” said Kimberley, 31.
"He’s had MRI scans and so many tests, he’s had operations but they can’t find what is causing it.
"Looking at him you wouldn’t think there was anything wrong that’s the hardest part. People are lovely and he’ll get offer sweets and things to eat but he can’t.”
The youngster, who attends nursery at Thorney Close Primary School, is being trialled on different consistencies of foods and liquids but unfortunately past trials haven’t been successful.
"He gets frustrated. When he’s trialled foods before it hasn’t worked and then we have to take them away again and he doesn’t understand,” added Kimberley.
"We are happy he gets to keep trialling him on food to see if he can start doing it himself.
"We don’t know if he could be like this for the rest of his life.”
Last year, the family raise hundreds of pounds which meant children at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, and Sunderland Royal Hospital benefited from the toy appeal.
So far more than £350 has been donated towards the appeal and the family hope to hand out the presents in the run up to Christmas – providing Covid-19 restrictions allow.
"It’s really frustrating for him and that’s what made us set up the toy appeal when he was in hospital in the run up to Christmas last year.
"The selection box appeals are amazing but for someone who’s nil by mouth like Harley – he’s left out and that just made my heartbreak.
"We’re so grateful for everyone who has supported us last year and so far this year. We were able to donate countless presents to so many children and everyone could be included.”