THE mum of a baby with a rare incurable genetic disease which took the lives of two of her other children is turning to an American hospital for help after parents of others with the disease reached out to her.

Mary O'Callaghan's daughter Bonnie-Rose was diagnosed with Microvillus Inclusion Disease (MVID) - an ultra-rare genetic disorder which affects the small intestine - after her birth in October last year.

The news was made all the more heartbreaking as Mary also lost her son Gerry-Lee at just 11 months old and her 19-month-old daughter Precious-Marie to the same disorder.

Mary, 33, originally from Holme Wood, Bradford, said the classical version - which her babies were born with - is the most aggressive form of the condition and her children are the only ones to be diagnosed with it in the UK.

Dr David Campbell, Consultant Paediatrician specialising in Gastroenterology at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, which cared for Gerry-Lee and Precious-Marie and has assisted in Bonnie-Rose’s case, said: “MVID is extremely rare with under 300 cases in Europe and less than a dozen cases in the UK. Exact numbers of cases are not known. The condition is hereditary and linked to a gene called MYO5B, which stops the cells in the small intestine from digesting nutrients, meaning fluid and salts leak into the gut.”

The adorable tot, who is unable to feed naturally, is currently being cared for full-time at Leeds General Infirmary, but Mary is determined to take Bonnie-Rose to the Boston Children's Hospital in Massachusetts after sharing her daughter's story online and speaking to parents of other children with MVID.

Mary believes the hospital will offer the best outcome for Bonnie-Rose, but she says it has been an emotional experience.

"It's great to see that other children are alive, it's amazing to see they are doing so well, but knowing I've lost two, it's hard.

"It's making me realise I need to fight and battle to make sure she gets the expertise in her care."

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Mary says the hospital, which has an intestinal rehabilitation centre, has been recommended by other parents of older children with MVID who are living a good quality of life on total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

She has been in touch with a doctor from the hospital and believes the management of TPN, the way Bonnie-Rose has to be fed, would be different and could help.

Mary is now preparing to send details across to the hospital to see what it would be able to do and is raising funds in the case of Bonnie-Rose being able to go.

One treatment option for Bonnie-Rose is an organ transplant, which her late sister Precious-Marie underwent, but it's an option Mary wants to look beyond.

She said: "I don't want to list my child for transplant. I don't think it will work.

“It’s in her DNA, it’s not in the organ. Replacing her organ, does that take away the disease?"

Mary says it's a question no-one has been able to answer.

Meanwhile, Leeds General Infirmary has said it strives to work closely with all families to ensure parents receive the most effective care and support for their individual needs.

Dr Yvette Oade, Chief Medical Officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals said: "Our medical teams are continually reviewing Bonnie-Rose’s clinical needs and are in close contact with her family. We are also liaising with colleagues in other children’s hospitals to ensure she is receiving the best possible care.”