Evelina makes Easter sweet for children with rare metabolic disorders

Patients under the age of 5 with rare inherited metabolic disorders were treated to Evelina’s annual Easter party on Wednesday 10 April.

These children have a strictly protein-free diet, so Easter isn't quite so sweet. Protein is in almost every food such as bread, dairy, fish, eggs, meat and even some vegetables and drinks.

This makes it a challenge for families to feed their children from supermarkets, so they rely on protein substituted foods on prescription. The annual party provides an opportunity for the whole family to come together and meet other families with children who have the same rare disorders, whilst the children enjoy as many tasty protein-free treats as they want.

Dr Ranj, a CBeebies presenter, also got in on the action by playing table tennis and playing games with the children. An Easter bunny was on hand to give out gifts and a face painter came in to put a smile on the children's faces.

Jane Gick, clinical nurse specialist said: "Parties like these don't seem a big deal but can make a real difference. These conditions are incredibly rare as Phenylketonuria (PKU) affects ’one child in every 10,000’. This party provides families with young babies the chance to see older children with the same or a similar condition and how they are getting on.”

Evelina’s world-class centre is one of only 6 metabolic centres in the UK. Our services cover the South Thames region as well as much of the south of England providing outreach clinics in Plymouth, Portsmouth, Brighton, Cambridge and Norwich.