A MIRACLE baby who cheated death after being born four months early is today a "happy and healthy" boy who has just celebrated his first birthday.

Joanne Whitaker and Steve Grainge, of Malton, Ryedale, say they are "delighted" with progress made by little Rhys, who now weighs in at 13lb.

Rhys was only 1lb 6oz after he was born, and spent two months in a critical condition after developing a chronic lung disease.

He was born early by emergency Caesarean section after Joanne, 29, developed the life threatening HELPP syndrome.

Joanne said: "Thirteen pounds is still quite small for a one-year-old, but he was so poorly after being born we are really pleased.

"The predictions are good. He is not on any oxygen or any medication at the moment, he is happy and healthy and is now just about sitting up on his own.

"If he gets a cold or we get a cold he could get bronchitis and end up back in hospital, so we have to be very careful and we have both had flu jabs, but we are very hopeful."

Joanne said the last year has been "very hard work," and that she was grateful for help and support she received from her family.

She said: "The whole thing was a total rollercoaster, you are up and down, you don't know what is going to happen next. I wouldn't want to go through that ever again.

"Obviously there is still a lot of hard work to do and we have another son, Lewis, to look after as well, so I was glad of the support.

"My mum has been great."

Rhys's first birthday was yesterday. The family celebrated with a big party at their Ryngwoode Drive home, and are planning a second bash later this month when Lewis turns four.

HELPP is a variant of pre-eclampsia which involves the breaking down of red blood cells, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count, and can be fatal to mother and baby.

Eldest son Lewis was also born prematurely, by three months, when Joanne developed HELPP for the first time.

She said: "I always wanted people to be more aware of HELPP as so many women don't know about it. The story of my experiences is going to be put on to a website all about HELPP.

"If that helps anyone, or helps raise awareness, then great."

For more information about HELPP, phone the Action on Pre-Eclampsia helpline on 0208 4274217 between 10am and 1pm.

Updated: 12:13 Monday, November 11, 2002