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Teesside Parents Share Rare Genetic Cause After Losing Two Babies in 18 Months

Genetic testing found both carry a rare GLDN variant linked to Lethal Congenital Contracture Syndrome-11, giving a one-in-four recurrence risk.

Overview

  • Both pregnancies developed hydrops fetalis in mid-gestation, and Frankie also had a severe cardiac defect.
  • Frankie was born sleeping on April 17, 2024, and Archie was born late on April 15, 2025, with his parents meeting him the next morning on April 16.
  • Matty Hynes and Steph Ferry spent a few hours with each baby and expressed gratitude for the care teams who tried to save them.
  • The couple live in Kirklevington and have two surviving children, Hallie and Cooper, with Matty known as a former GB long‑distance runner.
  • They shared their story on the PRsonal podcast and in regional media during Baby Loss Awareness Week, which also highlighted Tommy’s statistics on UK pregnancy loss and stillbirth.