EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders has recently kicked off an emotional storyline for Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson, as they have learned their baby could have Edwards' Syndrome.
Tonight's episode (February 9) sees Whitney confide in Chelsea about the news that her baby has omphalocele, and future episodes will see her undergo tests to get an official diagnosis to see if this is a result of a genetic condition. EastEnders has already confirmed that the pair will be receiving the official diagnosis later this month.
But what is Edwards' Syndrome and what are the implications of this story for Whitney and Zack? Here's what you need to know.
What is omphalocele?
Whitney was told that her unborn baby has a condition called omphalocele, following a scan in last week's episodes. Whitney had been encouraged by her friend Kat Slater to get checked out at the hospital after she experienced some spotting.
Omphalocele, also known as exomphalos, is a birth defect of the abdominal wall. It happens when a baby’s abdominal wall does not develop fully while in the womb, causing the organs of the abdomen to stick out through an opening in muscles in the area of the umbilical cord.
According to research, omphalocele occurs in 1 in 4,000 births. Babies born with the condition often have other complications and approximately 15% of live-born infants with omphalocele have chromosomal abnormalities. This is why Whitney needs to undergo further tests to get an official diagnosis.
What is Edwards' Syndrome?
Edwards' syndrome (also known as trisomy 18) is a rare genetic condition affecting approximately three in every 10,000 births in the UK. According to the NHS website, Edwards' syndrome is diagnosed when a baby has three copies of chromosome number 18 instead of two, and this affects the way the baby grows and develops.
The symptoms, and how seriously the baby is affected, will usually depend on whether they have full, mosaic, or partial Edwards' syndrome. The most common type is full Edwards' syndrome. Mosaic Edwards' syndrome affects 1 in 20 babies diagnosed with the condition and the partial Edwards' syndrome only 1 in 100.
The condition means babies are often born with a heart defect, alongside other features including a smaller head and jaw, as well as being at higher risk of certain conditions, such as seizures or hearing loss.
The NHS states that a small number (about 13 in 100) babies born alive with Edwards' syndrome will live past their 1st birthday. Most babies with Edwards' syndrome will die before or shortly after being born.
Where does Whitney's story go from here?
Whitney and Zack will receive the official diagnosis later this month. Next week's scenes will see Whitney learn that the test results have been delayed by a further two weeks, prompting her to confide in her brother Ryan on the phone.
In doing so, Whitney will also tell Ryan – who hasn't appeared in the show since 2016 – that his 12-year old daughter Lily is pregnant, paving the way for him to make a return.
Neil McDermott has reprised his role for a brief stint as Ryan.
EastEnders has been working with both SOFT UK and Antenatal Results and Choices for Whitney and Zack's storyline, with the aim being to "accurately reflect and raise awareness of Edwards' Syndrome whilst sensitively portraying the tough decisions that prospective parents are faced with following a diagnosis".
The show's executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: "It was imperative for us to work alongside Antenatal Results and Choices and SOFT UK to accurately present, and sensitively portray, such an emotional storyline that many parents may relate to.
"Shona [McGarty] and James' [Farrar] performances have thoughtfully portrayed the realities of the diagnosis and the decision making process with compassion and understanding. We hope that this story resonates with the audience, and that we represent it as sensitively and as accurately as possible."
Jan Fowler, the Chair at SOFT UK, said of the partnership: "Around 3 in every 10,000 births in the UK are affected by Edwards' syndrome each year and many parents contact SOFT for help. We were pleased to be able to work with the EastEnders team on how they could approach the story of Whitney and Zack's baby's diagnosis of Edwards' Syndrome in an accurate and sensitive way."
Jane Fisher, Director at Antenatal Results and Choices, echoed these sentiments, adding: "Well done EastEnders for tackling this difficult subject and we are pleased they involved us to help them treat the storyline with such sensitivity and compassion."
Prior to the worrying news about her baby, Whitney was struggling to navigate her co-parenting arrangement alongside Zack, who has blown hot and cold with her ever since he found out she's pregnant.
Viewers know that Zack has also recently discovered he is HIV positive but is yet to share this with Whitney.
EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, with first look episodes dropping at 6am.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage
Readers affected by this story may visit SOFT UK and Antenatal Results and Choices for further information and support.
