Mum shares heartbreaking pictures of son, six, as he battles rare disease linked to Covid-19

A mum has shared heartbreaking pictures of her six-year-old son battling for life after contracting rare disease linked to Covid-19.

Laura Patterson's son Oliver became gravely ill after his heart stopped and his blood pressure plunged so low he was left "fighting for his life" as he fought the rare inflammatory condition, multi-system inflammatory system (PIMS-TS)

According to statistics the disease has put about 200 British kids in intensive care.

Six-year-old Oliver Patterson who was in intensive care for four days and hospital for two weeks with the rare PIMS-TS disorder linked to COVID. (Laura Patterson)

Laura, 36, says Oliver tested positive for coronavirus in March and just weeks later began complaining of a stomach ache refused food and was lethargic.

Worried, Laura took him to Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, where doctors first thought he had tonsillitis.

However shortly after being admitted the schoolboy broke out in a rash which grew and covered his body and face before eyes swelled up so badly he couldn’t see.

Oliver spent four nights in intensive care at Evelina London Children’s Hospital and specialists diagnosed PIMS-TS. Laura, of Crayford, Kent, said: “Oliver was fighting for his life.

"His heart function deteriorated and he was given different drugs. It was the hardest day of our lives. Yet the day before he fell ill he’d been at the seaside enjoying himself.”

Oliver was given steroid treatment and he “turned a corner” in 48 hours. He is now back home and had the all-clear. Laura said: “We don’t want to tell Oliver’s story to scare people, as it’s an incredibly rare condition, but we do want to raise awareness."

Laura, 36, says Oliver tested positive for coronavirus in March and just weeks later began complaining of a stomach ache refused food and was lethargic. (Laura Patterson)

And with lockdown restrictions lifting across the UK, Laura says it's even more important that parents be on their guard.

She added: “It’s a worrying time with the country opening up, now we know how vulnerable children can be.”

Experts say up to 600 British kids have developed paediatric multi-system inflammatory system (PIMS-TS).

It can cause swelling throughout the body, including the heart muscles. Symptoms include a rash, prolonged fever, stomach ache, diarrhoea, bloodshot eyes, a red tongue or red cracked lips.

Many who develop it in the weeks after having Covid showed no symptoms of coronavirus.

Dr Elizabeth Whittaker, of Imperial College London, said 0.01% of young Covid carriers get the “incredibly rare” condition.

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