A Bristol mother recently shared her heart-wrenching story about her baby boy, Luca, who was left blind in one eye after contracting oral herpes in the womb. Brooke Hale, 28, and her husband Luke, 41, were shocked when Luca was born prematurely at just 12 weeks early, weighing only two and a half pounds. Doctors initially thought Luca had a rare skin disorder, but further tests revealed he had contracted HSV1, a strain of herpes that is commonly associated with cold sores.
Brooke and Luke were carriers of the virus, but they were unaware that it could be transmitted to their baby during pregnancy. Their other two daughters, Sofia and Bella, were unaffected by the virus. Luca spent 12 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol, where he unfortunately lost sight in his right eye due to the infection reaching his cornea. He now requires continuous medication to prevent further outbreaks.
Despite the challenges Luca faced, Brooke expressed her joy at being able to celebrate Christmas with her family, as last year Luca was still in the hospital. The couple had been excited about expanding their family when Brooke became pregnant in May 2023. However, a routine ultrasound revealed an increased amount of cloudy fluid around Luca, leading to Brooke going into premature labor at just 28 weeks.
After a scary trip to the hospital, Luca was born on December 12, coinciding with his father’s birthday. Brooke vividly remembered the moment Luca was born and how he struggled to breathe on his own. Over the next 12 weeks, Luca fought bravely in the neonatal intensive care unit, undergoing various treatments and tests to determine the cause of his condition.
It was later discovered that Luca had been infected with HSV1, a rare occurrence that doctors at St Michael’s Hospital had never seen before. Despite the challenges Luca faced, he made significant progress over time. He underwent a cornea transplant at Bristol Eye Hospital and has been receiving regular treatment to manage his condition.
Brooke has been vigilant in monitoring Luca’s health, as any sign of a fever or temperature could lead to life-threatening complications. She has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, which has received overwhelming support from donors.
As Luca approaches his first birthday, Brooke reflected on the past year and the emotional journey her family has been through. She expressed gratitude for the support they have received and the progress Luca has made in his recovery. Despite the challenges they have faced, Brooke remains hopeful for Luca’s future and is determined to continue raising awareness about neonatal herpes infections.
