When Chloe Baker was diagnosed with ulcerated colitis at the age of seven her mum Paula didn't know where to turn.

"I knew very little about the condition, it is very rare in children of Chloe's age. It normally develops at around 15," says Paula, from Wakefield.

Chloe was two when she first started having symptoms of the condition, which is caused by ulcers on the large intestine. This results in bouts of severe diarrhoea and stomach pain.

She was diagnosed as having Coeliac Disease – an intolerance to gluten. Although her diet was changed to combat the condition, she still suffered severe episodes of stomach pain and diarrhoea.

"When she had an episode she would lose so much weight and become so exhausted she could hardly do anything. We kept going back to the doctors and they really didn't know what was wrong with her."

In the end, Chloe was referred to a specialist, tests were taken and ulcerated colitis was diagnosed.

Chloe was put on medication, but it didn't work. She was put on steroids but became dependent on them. So now she has to take immunosuppressant drugs which are controlling the condition.

They don't know what will happen when she comes off the drugs.

Chloe's condition has affected the whole family.

"When Chloe has an episode it is very hard for us to go out for the day unless we know that there are going to be lots of toilets," says Paula.

Chloe's school has been very understanding and has explained her condition to the children.

As for Chloe she is resigned to the life-long condition for which there is no cure. The only cure is to have the intestine removed which is not something her parents want to contemplate at the moment.

Paula says living with the condition is hard and she is backing a new Parent to Parent helpline just launched by the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease ( NACC).

The service will support worried, sometimes frightened parents by providing them with the experienced listening ear of a parent who has been similarly affected.

It is endorsed by BBC Fame Academy's voice coach and NACC ambassador, Carrie Grant, who herself has Crohn's Disease.

It will focus on inflammatory bowel disease and families. The new confidential service, staffed by a team of trained parent volunteers will help parents feel that they are not so alone with their child's condition and point them in the right direction for more information and support.

Richard Driscoll, NACC director, explains: "Parents of a child with a chronic illness such as Colitis and Crohn's disease are often confused and distressed.

"Now, through this new NACC Service will have the chance to talk to another parent whom they know has been there and can really understand."

"I will definitely be using the service," says Paula.

"It will be nice to talk to someone who knows what you are going through. To give you support when times are tough and to let you know you are doing the right thing for your child."


Facts about colitis

Between 60,000 and 120,000 people in the United Kingdom live with this life-long and potentially life-threatening condition.

Between 6,000 and 12,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

The most common age for diagnosis is between 15 and 35.

It affects men and women equally.

It affects the colon (large intestine) or rectum and can cause a variety of distressing and sometimes embarrassing symptoms.

Inflammation and ulcers develop on the inside lining of the colon resulting in pain, urgent and bloody diarrhoea, continual tiredness, weight loss and loss of appetite.

Patients are likely to experience flare-ups in between intervals of reduced symptoms or remission.

To date there is no cure.

Most patients will be treated with drugs, including steroids, to control or reduce the inflammation. In severe cases some people need surgery to remove the affected part of the colon, if their symptoms do not respond to treatment.

The cause has not yet been fully identified although the new study findings indicate a genetic predisposition.

Ulcerative colitis is not a form of cancer and is not contagious or infectious.

For more information visit www.nacc.org.uk. The Parent to Parent service is open to any parent with a child of school age or under the care of a paediatric department. If parents want to get in touch call the NACC on 0845 130 2233 and a telephone appointment will be made.