- Anya Behl suffered a stroke-like attack when she was 10 weeks old
- Doctors were baffled before diagnosing alternating hemiplegia of childhood
- Only 500 families worldwide are coping with AHC which has no treatment
- Researchers are hopeful to change lives with therapy in its first stages of trialling
 |
| It took four months for doctors to figure out what was wrong with Anya after her first stroke-like episode at ten weeks old which was 'terrifying' for her parents |
The family of a toddler with a one-in-a-million condition that gives her episodes of paralysis are trying to raise money for groundbreaking research.
Anya Behl, who is 18 months old, was diagnosed with alternative hemiplegia of childhood (AHC), a neurological condition which can cause numbness or full loss of feeling and movement.
It took four months for doctors to figure out what was wrong with Anya's after her first stroke-like episode at ten weeks old.
Her parents, Abhishek and Katherine Behl, from Edinburgh, were terrified as her eyes flickered and she let out a 'terrible scream'.
Now, they live in fear an attack will strike at any moment, and won't leave Anya' side.
There are around 45 families in the UK and 500 worldwide coping with the rare condition, which has no effective treatment.
 |
| Anya has a gene called ATP1A3 which is identified as a leading cause of AHC and represents approximately 76 per cent of those affected |
 |
| The family of 18-month-old Anya Behl, who has a one-in-a-million condition that gives her episodes of paralysis, are trying to raise money for groundbreaking research |
Mrs Behl said: 'Despite starting 2019 with Anya in and out of paralysis, distress and a host of neurological symptoms, we now have real hope for advancements in AHC research.'
The couple's lives were changed forever in October 2017 when they rushed Anya - who looked like she was having a stroke - to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.
Mrs Behl, a hospital doctor, said they thought their daughter 'was going to die'.
She said she knew what was going on medically - but as a mother, she felt 'helpless'.
After four months of tests and thinking that Anya was suffering from epilepsy, the couple were told her daughter had the ATP1A3 gene, which is responsible for around 76 per cent of AHC cases.
Anya is one of only two children in Scotland with the condition, and according to the Alternative Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation, the incidence of AHC is estimated at roughly one in 1,000,000 births.
But they say the true incidence may be higher since the disorder is commonly misdiagnosed due to the 'lack of awareness' about AHC.
Mrs Behl said: 'When she's paralysed down one side, but not in her worst case, it's heartbreaking to see her try to crawl when she can't balance unable to move one side or support herself.
'Almost all children with AHC have physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities across a spectrum.
'By the age of two 50 per cent have epilepsy and there is much being discovered and investigated about the cardiac and other life-threatening aspects of this condition.'
 |
| Anya is watched by her parents 24/7, meaning Mr Behl had to quit his job |
 |
| When an attack strikes, Anya can be paralysed down one side. She also has breathing difficulties |
The AHC Foundation say there is no proof that the disorder limits life expectancy, but that children do appear more susceptible to complications such as aspiration, which can sometimes be life-threatening.
 |
| Abhishek and Katherine Behl, from Edinburgh, said there is a real hope for advancing treatment if the money can be raised for research in the US
In rare cases, children have died suddenly and unexpectedly, in circumstances similar to the sudden death reported in patients with epilepsy.
The couple is hoping to raise funds for a groundbreaking gene therapy project in the US for people with the ATP1A3 gene.
The funds would progress research towards a pre-clinical, non-human trial to be conducted with the support of several AHC foundations in the US.
The trial is essential before ethical approval can be sought with a view to testing the gene therapy in humans.
Mrs Behl said: 'Indeed, the prospect for AHC gene therapy is exciting scientists and families since it may bring real hope for a devastating condition.'
Mrs Behl said her Anya's condition has taken an emotional toll on the family, with her husband quitting his job as a travel consultant to look after Anya, who has breathing difficulties, full time.
She said: 'We just have to live truly in the moment and enjoy a good hour or good day or even enjoy her being able to eat breakfast without paralysis or distress rather than think of the whole picture.
'At first we used to get anxious waiting for the next episode to hit not knowing what might come. But we realised it wasn't sustainable to live like that.
'We are grateful for the moments she is well and her happy self and try not to focus on it changing in a second. We know how fragile life can be.'
Even days out with their young daughter involve stringent preparation in case a seizure takes place.
Mrs Behl, who said the condition effects everything they do, said: 'We don't leave home without her emergency medications.
'Our nappy bag includes her emergency medication and a paediatric face mask should we need to help support her airway if it affects her breathing.
'In 18 months at least one of us - my husband or I - have been with her 24/7 except for one hour when my mum looked after her and constantly watching her as her condition can change in a second.'
The AHC community have until April 2019 to raise the money. Anya's JustGiving page can be found here.
|
0 Comments