Diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, Charlie relies on a regular infusion of immunoglobulin for protection against common viruses and bacteria.
When Charlie was just two years old, he developed a serious brain infection. In healthy children, the immune system would fight off the infection before it progresses, but little Charlie had an undiagnosed immunodeficiency (meaning his immune system couldn’t do its job).
Instead, he went floppy and had a seizure.
“It was a focal seizure, which means he went limp and it was completely terrifying,” said mum, Sarah.
Sarah was facing a mother’s nightmare: Charlie had stopped being able to walk, talk, or feed himself, and was given a 50% chance of survival. Fortunately, the doctors at Perth Children’s Hospital were there to save the day. As well as treating the infection, they identified his rare genetic condition as one that leaves his body unprotected from common viruses and bacteria.
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