Boxing Day baby survives second liver transplant

Niamh Coyne was born with a rare condition called gastroschisis, which resulted in her being born with her bowels outside of her body.

When she was just 10 days old she had an operation to put her bowels back inside and spent almost every day of the next two years in hospital.

In February last year, Niamh, who turns four on Sunday, was given her first new liver – but her parents Hannah Wilkins and Rob Coyne then had to make a second appeal for a donor when the new organ failed. She had her second transplant in October at St James's Hospital in Leeds, and is now well enough to return to the family home in Sheffield in time for Christmas.

Miss Wilkins, 24, said: "She's at that magical age where she really appreciates the whole thing. It's wonderful.

"She has recovered really well. I am taking down all the Christmas decorations on Christmas night and putting up birthday decorations for her.

"She really likes pointing out places on maps, and hopefully we can take her on holiday next year.

"For her birthday we've planned a family party. It is so good to see her looking better.

"She'll continue to make progress and get better – that's the ultimate hope."

Miss Wilkins added that Christmas dinner would be a special treat for Niamh, who could not eat anything until she was two-and-a-half.

She said: "She is only the size of a two-year-old. She's so dinky so it is fantastic seeing her eat. She loves sausages, eggs, beetroot and roast potatoes.

"When she was really little the doctors said she wouldn't be able to speak, because not eating meant she wasn't exercising her facial muscles.

"But she is the most verbal three-year-old we have ever met. You cannot keep her quiet."