A TAYSIDE boy who is battling a rare genetic syndrome has been admitted to a high dependency unit after his breathing difficulties worsened.
Four-year-old Blake McMillan was born with MECP2 Duplication Syndrome, which triggers mental and physical issues.
The condition has left the youngster completely immobile and in need of support with his breathing.
Blake was taken to hospital with breathing difficulties on Monday.
He is currently in the high dependency unit at Ninewells Hospital receiving treatment, including steroids, antibiotics and inhalers.
His mum Jenny today told the Tele that Blake had suddenly taken ill. She said: “You just never know what is around the corner with something like MECP2 — Blake can deteriorate extremely rapidly.
“We had been at a paediatrician appointment on Monday at Armitstead Child Development Centre at King’s Cross and he started off well in the appointment.
“Everything was fine until about 20 minutes into it, then everything changed.
“His temperature suddenly shot up and his breathing became laboured. We had to take him to Ninewells.”
In January, Blake was left “fighting for his life” after he began struggling to breathe.
On that occasion, he was taken by ambulance to Ninewells and put on full life support in the high dependency unit.
Jenny feared Blake may not make it and doctors warned that he might not survive being ventilated.
He was too sick to be transferred to Glasgow for treatment when doctors recommended it, but Blake fought through and survived — although Jenny fears that this latest setback could be similarly terrifying to the one in January.
Jenny wants to raise awareness of how a seemingly innocuous virus like the common cold can be life threatening for someone in Blake’s position.
She said: “Every time he gets unwell, I’m terrified that he gets like he was in January.
“This is what happens when Blake gets something as simple as a cold. His sister and carer had the cold, he caught it and now he is very poorly.
“Caring for someone with a condition like Blake has is such a rollercoaster, as he can deteriorate so rapidly without warning.
“I just hope this stay in hospital is nothing like the last one.”