Mum calls for better screening to protect unborn babies from deadly virus

Better screening and more training for midwives must be given to protect unborn babies in the North East from a deadly virus.

Published 18th Jun 2015

Better screening and more training for midwives must be given to protect unborn babies in the North East from a deadly virus.

One in every 900 children gets CMV and it's more common than conditions like down syndrome.

But 19-year-old Rebekka Donald from Newbiggin only found out it existed when doctors said she'd passed it on to her three day old baby.

Now eight months old, Renee has lifelong health problems.

Rebekka said: "She's having breathing problems and she's had pneumonia quite a few times.

"She's on anti-biotics every day to keep her immune system up.

"She's brain damaged and very delayed, she's nine months old and hasn't reached any milestones.

"She's had a smile but that's about it."

Rebekka is now backing calls for every mam to be tested at 12 weeks to see if their unborn baby could be at risk.