The family of a young girl say they “have to stay positive” despite their daughter suffering seizures which last more than an hour.

Six-year-old Meadow Bryant is one of 1,000 babies born each year who suffer from permanent disabilities as a result of a virus which affects newborns. She is non-verbal, suffers from hearing loss and has epilepsy which causes seizures that can last an hour or more.

Now, Meadow’s family are calling for support for a new device which would help to test children at birth and help treat the potentially debilitating condition.

Meadow, 6, suffers from epilepsy as a result of CMVMeadow, 6, suffers from epilepsy as a result of CMV (Image: Action Medical Research)

Meadow’s mother Lauren Mahoney said that doctors had twice considered putting her daughter in a medically induced coma because the seizures caused the after effects of cytomegalovirus.

Often referred to as CMV, the disease is generally harmless to adults but can cause serious complications for babies.

Lauren, from East Sussex, said: “Meadow’s seizures are well managed with medication, but she does still seizure at least once a year for an hour or more. Twice the doctors have spoken about putting Meadow into an induced coma because no medication works or helps bring her out of her severe seizures.

Meadow BryantMeadow Bryant (Image: Action Medical Research)

“She is a lovely child but it is very challenging as she is non-verbal, cannot wash or dress herself and she still wears nappies even though she is six.

“We don’t know what the future holds, but we have to stay positive. A new device which gives results more quickly, means that treatment can start straightaway. This new device is too late for Meadow, but hopefully in the future it can help other babies.”

Lauren is backing research for the new device, which would help to provide antiviral treatment to babies and stop them suffering in the way that Meadow has.

The device would allow for better screening of newborns and earlier treatment.

Dr Caroline Johnston, of charity Action Medical Research, said: “The results of this research could be a significant breakthrough in diagnosing CMV in newborn babies and potentially avoiding the risk of long-term disabilities.”