A newborn Plymouth baby is fighting for her life in intensive care. At just seven-weeks old, the tiny girl is “fighting so hard to get better” after being diagnosed with RSV.
Isabella was born to parents Whitney Latham, aged 24, and Conner Yates, aged 28. The couple, who have two older children, are “beside themselves” and they’re staying by their baby girl’s side day and night.
Mum Whitney gave birth to Isabella at Derriford Hospital on October 18 2024 and she weighed 6.4lb. Everything was fine and the pair returned to the family home.
However, last Wednesday, December 4, Isabella got sick and was rushed to Derriford Hospital by ambulance. Once she was admitted she was immediately transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
Whitney’s best friend Chelsea Lloyd – who is godmother to Isabella – has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help Whitney and Connor as they stay by their daughter’s side.
Chelsea, aged 28, said: “Baby Isabella is in intensive care, it was so sad to see how swollen she was when I saw her. She’s on a ventilator and all different antibiotics, morphine, different cannulas and a catheter, she’s still slightly sedated too. Whitney and Connor really are beside themselves. I don’t think they can cry anymore.”
Tiny Isabella has a collapsed lung, she’s having seizures – of which the cause is as yet unknown – and she has confirmed RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus). RSV infections are a common cause of colds in adults, however for babies and young children RSV can become serious.
Chelsea said: “When I got the phone call to say about Isabella being so poorly, it was completely heartbreaking as she’s so young and such a small little dot.
“But she is fighting so hard to get better, I’m honestly so proud of her. All the family are heartbroken and they’re doing all the can to support them at this time.
“Isabella really is a little fighter, she may be small but she’s mighty. I travelled up to Bristol to see her in intensive care on Saturday (December 7) and I even managed to have a little cuddle.
“I’ve set up this GoFundMe to help the financial burden for the parents of baby Isabella for their stay up in Bristol while they stay by their baby girl’s side, while she fights the toughest battle – and it’s looking likely that they will still be up in Bristol for Christmas.”
You can help baby Isabella and her family by donating to the GoFundMe set up by Chelsea here. So far, £75 of a £1,000 goal has been raised.
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