{"id":29724,"date":"2023-02-03T14:46:54","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T13:46:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1778761"},"modified":"2023-02-04T04:51:35","modified_gmt":"2023-02-04T03:51:35","slug":"what-is-edwards-syndrome-whitneys-babys-eastenders-diagnosis-explained","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/what-is-edwards-syndrome-whitneys-babys-eastenders-diagnosis-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Edwards\u2019 syndrome? Whitney\u2019s baby\u2019s EastEnders diagnosis explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whitney and Zack’s baby will be diagnosed with the rare condition. <\/p>

By Stefania Sarrubba\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 03 February 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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A delicate medical storyline is currently airing with Whitney Dean\u2019s pregnancy in EastEnders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In upcoming scenes, Whitney (Shona McGarty) and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) will face a new challenge when their baby is diagnosed with a rare condition known as Edwards\u2019 syndrome.<\/a><\/p>\n

Whitney decided to keep the baby following her brief fling with Zack<\/a>, planning on raising her child with the help of her best friend Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams).<\/p>\n

In new episodes, Whitney and Zack will be brought closer together by the baby\u2019s illness which, sadly, could affect their life expectancy.<\/p>

What is Edwards\u2019 syndrome?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A rare condition affecting three in every 10,000 births in the UK, Edwards\u2019 syndrome is diagnosed when a baby has three copies of chromosome number 18 instead of two.<\/p>\n

According to the NHS<\/a>, this change usually happens by chance, often because of an alteration in the sperm or egg before a baby is conceived.<\/p>\n

There are three types of Edwards\u2019 syndrome depending on whether the baby has an extra chromosome 18 in all cells (full), an extra chromosome 18 in some cells (mosaic) or only a section of the extra chromosome 18 in their cells (partial).<\/p>\n

The most common type is the full Edwards\u2019 syndrome, while the mosaic Edwards\u2019 syndrome affects 1 in 20 babies diagnosed with the condition and the partial Edwards\u2019 syndrome only 1 in 100.<\/p>\n

The type of Edwards\u2019 syndrome determines how long the baby can live. Having full Edwards\u2019 syndrome means the baby is very likely to die before they are born.<\/p>\n

Babies with a mosaic condition can have milder symptoms according to which cells contain the extra chromosome. Those who are born alive can live at least a year and may live to adulthood.<\/p>\n

With the partial type, the effects are related to which part of the chromosome 18 is present in the cells.<\/p>\n

There is no cure for Edwards\u2019 syndrome. The condition is connected to health problems that can vary, but usually include a low birth weight and a range of physical symptoms. Those diagnosed with Edwards\u2019 syndrome may also have heart, respiratory, kidney or gastrointestinal conditions.<\/p>\n

What will happen to Whitney Dean\u2019s baby in EastEnders?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Whitney and Zack will get closer as they face a heartbreaking diagnosis for their baby.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Recently, Whitney was told that her baby has omphalocele<\/a>, a condition that causes organs to grow outside of the body,\u00a0and may not survive.\u00a0EastEnders<\/a> has confirmed that, after further tests, the baby will be diagnosed with Edwards\u2019 syndrome.<\/p>\n

Prior to the sad news, Whitney was having a hard time with her pregnancy due to Zack\u2019s flakey behaviour. Dealing with his own health issues following his HIV diagnosis<\/a>, Zack has made sure to be involved from afar, asking Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) to deliver a new pram he had bought for Whitney.<\/p>\n

But their baby\u2019s health could prove crucial to bringing them together as they navigate parenthood and support each other.<\/p>\n

The soap has been working closely with Antenatal Results and Choices<\/a> and SOFT UK<\/a> to raise awareness of Edwards\u2019 syndrome whilst \u201csensitively portraying the tough decisions that prospective parents are faced with following a diagnosis\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cShona and James\u2019s performances have thoughtfully portrayed the realities of the diagnosis and the decision making process with compassion and understanding,\u201d\u00a0EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope that this story resonates with the audience, and that we represent it as sensitively, and as accurately as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

You can read more about Edwards\u2019 syndrome on the NHS website<\/a>, or visit SOFT UK<\/a> and Antenatal Results and Choices<\/a> for help and support.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n