Dad whose twin daughters caught rare viral meningitis in the womb tells of their ‘miracle’ recovery
The girls have recovered, but their parents have been warned they may face disabilities in the future as a result of the illness
A DAD whose twin daughters caught rare viral meningitis in the womb has told of their “miracle” recovery.
James Holgate, 30, from Stockton, Middlesbrough, said wife Rachel, 33, contracted enterovirus – a virus that enters the body through the gastrointestinal tract and thrives there, often moving on to attack the nervous system -the week before their girls Nancy and Rita were born.
Rachel gave birth 36 weeks into her pregnancy at North Tees Hospital and passed the illness to her babies – unbeknown to doctors.
Nancy, born first, weighed 6.2lbs while Rita was born weighing 6.4lbs. They were both given a clean bill of health and sent home.
But four days later, when a midwife visited the family at home, Nancy recorded a shockingly high temperature of 38.3C.
Recalling that time, James, an events organiser, said: “They were home for a whole day when a midwife came over and checked over the twins.
"Nancy had a high temperature so as a precaution took her to hospital.
“Within an hour, Nancy went limp and the colour drained from her in my arms, it was horrifying.”
James and Rachel, who are also parents to two-year-old Nora, were told that Nancy had bacterial meningitis. She was treated with antibiotics but the treatment did not work.
Nancy suffered jaundice as her liver was struggling with the infection and also needed to have blood transfusions.
On the sixth day of her life she struggled to breathe and was transferred to the Great North Children’s Hospital with meningitis and septicaemia.
Then, to their devastation, twin sister Rita was diagnosed with the same illness.
After three rocky weeks, doctors realised the girls were suffering from a rare viral strain of the disease which could not be treated with antibiotics.
Once the diagnosis was correct, they were given the correct medication and improved quickly.
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Now the twins have recovered and are back at home, but the couple have been warned they may face disabilities in the future as a result of the illness.
James said: “Our twins are absolute miracles. We could never have planned for this to happen.
“For some genetical reasons, the twins contracted meningitis in the womb.
“Most babies would get it and be fine, but the twins had a terrible reaction.
“We are so glad that they are on the mend and although they may suffer disabilities from this horrible illness, we love them and are so grateful that they are still here with us.”
Rachel has begun writing a blog about her experiences and raise awareness of viral meningitis called Nora, Nancy and Rita - .
Neonatal meningitis
*Neonatal meningitis is the term used to describe meningitis that occurs in the first 28 days of life
*Many different organisms can cause neonatal meningitis, broadly grouped as bacteria, viruses and fungi
*However, the most common causes are bacteria; in particular group B streptococcus (GBS) and Escherichia coli (E. coli)
*There are approximately 300 cases of neonatal bacterial meningitis each year in the UK
*Urgent treatment with antibiotics is vital
