A Liversedge couple still grieving over the death of their five-year-old son could now lose their second son to the same rare illness.

Doctors have told heartbroken Stephen and Lorraine Whitworth, of Cornmill Lane, that 15-month-old Aidan may not survive beyond the age of three.

Mrs Whitworth said: "We are absolutely devastated. No other words can describe how we feel."

Aidan has developed the same symptoms which claimed the life of his elder brother Richard in September after he collapsed at his home with breathing difficulties.

The youngster suffered from a food and dairy product allergy, asthma and eczema for most of his short life. A post mortem revealed he died of respiratory disease syndrome, peritonitis and chronic constipation.

Mrs Whitworth said: "Aidan has started to develop exactly the same symptoms.

"He suffers from bowel problems, has eczema and has put on very little weight over the past seven months.

"Doctors have told us his illness is developing much faster than with Richard and he has a shorter life span. They say he will be lucky to reach the age of three.

"The problem is the doctors don't know what is causing the illness and are carrying out tests to see if it might be genetic, but so far have come up with no answers.

"We can't understand why our children have developed these problems because no one from mine or my husband's family has ever suffered from these conditions."

She said Aidan would be going to St James' Hospital in Leeds next month to have a nasal gastric tube fitted to help him put on weight.

The latest trauma for the Whitworths - who also have a nine-year-old daughter Frances - comes in the middle of a dispute with Dewsbury and District Hospital over its treatment of Richard.

The couple claim their son would still be alive if he had been made more of an urgent priority and closely monitored in the weeks leading up to his death.

They are threatening to take legal action unless hospital bosses admit mistakes were made.

The hospital said the family had been sent two letters of explanation describing Richard's medical condition and his treatment.

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