Fetal Medicine Expert Cares for Four Generations of Kent Family

A single specialist has provided medical care to four generations of women within one family for over three decades. Professor Kypros Nicolaides, a fetal medicine expert based at King’s College Hospital in London, has treated the family, who reside in the Medway towns area of Kent. The medical services provided to them have encompassed groundbreaking amniocentesis testing, introduced in the 1970s, as well as in-utero surgical procedures and management of complications such as bleeding and insufficient amniotic fluid. Rhea Eldridge stated: “Professor Kypros Nicolaides has been here for my nan, my mother, and now me and little Isabella.” The medical journey for these four women commenced in the late 1970s. At that time, Professor Nicolaides performed an amniocentesis test at King’s College Hospital on Rose Bill to screen her unborn child for Down’s syndrome, a procedure considered a significant advancement in fetal medicine at the time. Rose’s daughter, Amanda, was subsequently born without any health issues. Eighteen years later, Professor Kypros Nicolaides encountered Amanda’s elder sister, Michelle Lockyer, for the first time during Michelle’s second pregnancy. Ms. Eldridge elaborated: “My mum had some issues in her pregnancy with my brother, including bleeding and low amniotic fluid, so she was sent for a scan with Professor Nicolaides at King’s. He reassured her that Jake was healthy, and he was born with no complications.” Later, when Rhea became pregnant with her daughter, Isabella, a 20-week scan revealed that her baby had been diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a rare condition that impacts infants prior to birth. Rhea commented: “I will never forget the moment I found out our little baby had a hole in her diaphragm, and had a 15% chance of survival. Professor Kypros Nicolaides came into my family’s life again, this time offering to perform in-utero surgery to help my daughter.” Professor Kypros Nicolaides remarked: “It is a privilege to have been able to care for Rose, Michelle, Rhea and little Isabella, and to have played a part in their wonderful family. Throughout my career, I have worked to make sure we bring forward pioneering advancements in care so that families have the best possible treatment for their babies.” For updates, follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding its external linking policy is available for review.