Dangerous Birthmark - Fantastic Mother

Original posting, January 2006

A birthmark nearly led to Matilda becoming blind. A Cornish mother has told how a search on the internet helped save her young daughter from blindness. Matilda Baxter was born with a large birthmark over her right eye which got bigger day by day. Her mother Louise, 41, of Luxulyan, near St Austell, was told by doctors not to worry and it would go away. Matilda is now better after being treated with steroids.

"My doctor said it would go away, but three weeks later it became a livid blood-red growth. Her eye was swollen and closing more and more each day."

Six weeks later her eye was completely closed and the mark

"was like a piece of raw steak stuck to her head"

"This thing was growing like an alien and the GP gave me some ointment," she said.

A search on the internet led her to the Birthmark Support Group's (BSG) website and Mrs Baxter sent them an email.

"They came back within hours and suggested Great Ormond Street Hospital," said Mrs Baxter. "The hospital rang at 8.30am the next day and told me to bring her in straight away. They ultra-sounded her and found a cavernous haemangioma, an overgrowth of blood vessels, which was treated with steroids. Within 12 hours it started to shrink"

"It was unbelievable."

"They said Matilda was very lucky because the tumour grows very quickly and can lead to permanent eye damage and blindness."

The BSG said it was pleased to be able to help.

Very quietly, very efficient.

No song or dance.

Brilliant.

Wonderful story.