New mum Sian Prytherch was devastated when her three-week old baby had to be rushed into intensive care.

Baby Erin was suffering from the life-threatening condition bronchiolitis, but she had started off just with an ordinary cough.

Erin is now an 'outgoing and happy baby'

She had to have round-the-clock attention and a ventilator was helping her tiny infected lungs to breathe.

Sian said: "Her face was so swollen, her eyelids were shut tight, and it was upsetting for me not being able to see her bright blue eyes."

Erin was born, completely healthy, in January 2002.

But, once back at home in Anglesey, north Wales, she developed bronchiolitis, caused by the RSV virus.

Both her older brother and sister had been suffering from chesty coughs and colds, which were most probably caused by RSV.

Laboured breathing

Glesni, now eight, was only mildly affected, but 18-month-old Tomos developed pneumonia and needed hospital care.

But baby Erin also developed symptoms, suffering from a runny nose, fever and slight shortness of breath.

When she also began vomiting the family's doctor suggested Sian and her husband Ifan should take her to their local hospital in Wales.

Sian said: "'Initially, the medical staff weren't overly concerned because Erin wasn't dehydrated and not distressed.

The feeling of inadequacy at being unable to help my child was terrible

Sian Prytherch

"But at about 6pm that evening her breathing became very laboured and Erin was transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, in Liverpool."

Tests confirmed she had bronchiolitis.

Sian added: "I didn't have a clue what it was, I'd never heard of bronchiolitis before so it was terrifying."

Erin was in the intensive care unit for five days. She also had to be isolated to contain the infection.

"That period of watching and just praying seemed like a lifetime, it was a living hell, " said Sian.

'Lifetime of waiting'

"She seemed to take one step forward, and another two back. The first couple of days were touch and go.

"I can think of no worse experience in life that compares to having a sick child and being totally dependent on others to keep them alive.

"The feeling of inadequacy at being unable to help my child was terrible, it felt like being on the outside looking in on someone else's life."

Luckily, Erin made a full recovery from her illness

But Sian said: "Since her illness, we have become even more concerned about her health.

'Peace of mind'

"At the slightest cough or cold she is taken to the doctors to be checked out, usually for our peace of mind more than anything else.

"For the first few weeks after we came home I didn't want to take her out.

Erin's parents praised the care of NHS staff, but said more research into bronchiolitis, such as the study being funded by the charity Action Research, was needed to ensure other parents did not have to go through the same thing.

Sian said research was essential "not only to find an effective treatment for the virus, but also to help improve early and correct diagnosis of the virus."