Rare disease leaves toddler unable to walk and talk

A mother is raising awareness of a rare disease which left her toddler unable to walk or talk.

Three-year-old Theo King was taken to hospital after what his parents thought was a fever.

But, after a number of scans and tests, doctors at Addenbrooke's hospital diagnosed him with Kawasaki disease - a illness which causes inflammation in the body.

The disease affects around eight in 100,000 children every year.

Theo is now on the road to recovery

What is Kawasaki disease? (source: NHS England)

Kawasaki disease causes swelling of the blood vessels of the heart and the nymph nodes.

It is commonly found in children under five-years-old. Most children who are treated recover from the disease without long-term problems. If left untreated, it can lead to serious heart disease.

The illness is not contagious.

What are the symptoms?

  • A fever lasting at least five days

  • Red eyes

  • A body rash

  • Swollen, red, cracked lips and tongue

  • Swollen, red feet and hands

  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck