Fundraising drive launched for Telford baby with brain condition

Zara Davis gave birth to Leila Edwards in May after being induced at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital when she was 38 weeks pregnant.

Shortly after being born, Leila was moved into the neonatal unit as she had low blood sugars.

Within three days she had to be taken to the intensive care unit because of jerking movements which needed to be monitored.

An ultrasound revealed she had a bleed on the brain and an MRI scan confirmed that Leila's brain had not formed properly.

Since then she has had many tests and scans but her family are still waiting for a diagnosis.

Leila also suffers with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder, a problem in the transmission of sound from the inner ear to the brain.

Her parents, Zara, and father Danny Edwards, both 22, now want to raise £7,000 to build a sensory room at their home in Stanwyck, Sutton Hill, to help with Leila's development.

Miss Davis said: "In the future there will probably be a problem with her walking.

"She can't straighten her legs properly.

"She sees many specialists. They have said she might never talk.

"They have told us to stimulate her as much as we can."

Leila's family pay regular visits to hospitals around the Midlands to see specialists.

A crowdfunding campaign was recently launched for Leila online and has already raised more than £1,200 of the £7,000 needed to build a sensory room.

It is hoped the sensory room will help stimulate her brain and give her the best possible start in life.

Zara added: "The support has been amazing so far. "Leila's grandad and great uncle are going to be doing a sponsored bungee jump to raise money too."

To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/leila-edwards