By John HowardTHE proud parents of a little girl who was born weighing just 2lb 7oz spoke last night of their joy at celebrating her first birthday.Derek and Mary Moore's baby daughter Nadine was born 10 weeks early on January 25 last year after an emergency caesarean operation at Ipswich Hospital.

By John Howard

THE proud parents of a little girl who was born weighing just 2lb 7oz spoke last night of their joy at celebrating her first birthday.

Derek and Mary Moore's baby daughter Nadine was born 10 weeks early on January 25 last year after an emergency caesarean operation at Ipswich Hospital.

Mrs Moore had developed Hellp syndrome, one of the most serious complication of pre-eclampsia involving a combined liver and blood clotting disorder, and her husband feared she may not live.

Hellp syndrome is suffered by about 10% of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia or eclampsia and the only treatment is to deliver the baby, which is essential because the liver rapidly deteriorates.

Mrs Moore, 29, had to stay in hospital for 11 days after having her baby and needed two blood transfusions and a platelet transfusion.

Her tiny daughter was put on a ventilator to help her breath and Nadine went on to spend eight weeks at Ipswich Hospital and a week at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital before she was allowed home.

The couple, from Gislingham, near Eye, took Nadine home on March 28 last year and she was christened at the parish church on December 5.

Mr Moore, 43, manager of Ince's clothing store in Stowmarket, said: “We are so glad to put last year behind us.

“It's fantastic to have her home, we are very proud of her. She is very easy going and although she can't walk yet, she stands if you hold her and likes to stand up. We got her first buggy today and she is trying to push it.”

His wife added: “We had a tea party for her on Sunday and her grandparents came round and she has had presents, a birthday cake. It's lovely to celebrate her birthday. We are both fine now.”

Nadine has had several visits to see doctors to check her eyes and to see if she needs physiotherapist, but her parents are just so thrilled to be celebrating her first birthday with their family including three-year-old Adam.

Earlier this month the couple took their daughter back to the special care baby unit in Ipswich for a visit and to give them £175 as a thank you for all their efforts, money that was given instead of presents for Nadine's christening.

john.howard@eadt.co.uk