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MORE HEARTACHE FOR SOPHIE

The couple shortly after James’s birth

Sunday February 10,2008

By Camilla Tominey

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PRINCE Edward and his wife Sophie were yesterday awaiting the results of medical tests that were set to deal another blow to their family.

Their baby son James, who was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital last month, is feared to be suffering from an allergy to cow’s milk.

The Earl and Countess have been on tenterhooks since the seven-week-old was admitted to the hospital overnight following an allergic reaction that left him with a swollen head.

A source close to the couple said they have spent the past fortnight anxiously waiting for the test results, which are expected to confirm the diagnosis.

He said: “They have both been worried sick about James. It’s been a long wait for the test results and Sophie hasn’t left the baby’s side. She’s been a bag of nerves.”

According to the Food Standards Agency, allergy to cow’s milk affects between two and seven per cent of babies aged under one. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, wheezing and a skin rash that can cause the head to swell.

Dr Adam Fox, a consultant paediatric allergist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust said: “Mostly the reactions are mild but there have been deaths.

“The symptoms usually present themselves during breastfeeding – if the mother has cow’s milk in her diet, the baby can have an allergic reaction to it. You’d expect a child to grow out of it by the time they are around the age of five.”

Cow’s milk allergy hit the headlines in 2006 after a study found that nearly 80 per cent of doctors confused the symptoms with other conditions.

Edward and Sophie, both 43, have been through a series of traumas. In 2002 the Countess lost her unborn baby.

Four years ago her first child, Lady Louise Windsor, was delivered by emergency caesarean section, weighing just 4lb 2oz.

The Countess nearly died after the delivery because she suffered massive internal bleeding.

The child was diagnosed with exotropia, a rare eye disease that has left her with a squint.

WHT A SHAME, BUT IT COULD BE FINE IN THE END

11.02.08, 12:27am

too had total rejection of dairy....I am OK now, can't take it much at all, but as baby could not have milk, eggs, cheese, crream. etc etc etc you name it. Nuisance.

I am OK now. Ways around it as I trust and hope there will be for James too. It's distressing in a baby like that, but at least they know what is causing this condition. That's half the battle. I am sure James will be fine now they know.......

jane

• Posted by: janegt • Report Comment

POOR SOPHIE....

10.02.08, 2:07pm

Sixty two years ago my system rejected cows milk and it still does so I drink lactose free or Soy Milk. Thirty nine years ago I was a founding member of La Leche League and nursed my children for 10 months to a year. No allergies developed in any of them. That is no other than the usual one of room tidying and selective deafness!

• Posted by: Elizabeth • Report Comment

POOR SOPHIE

10.02.08, 11:56am

I feel so sorry for Sophie , she's got enough to deal with being a part of the royalty. Now with their dodgy genes in her offspring she faces her children having all types of maladies.
She's a lovely woman and i wish her better luck in the future..

• Posted by: Nikk_blakk • Report Comment