Toddler's Body 'Turned to Stone' After Asymptomatic Covid Triggered Rare Brain Condition
A toddler from Lancashire developed a terrifying condition that made her body stiffen "like stone" after catching Covid-19 without showing any symptoms. Lettie, who was just 17 months old at the time, was diagnosed with acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE), a rare and severe brain disorder triggered by viral infections.
Sudden Collapse After Normal Morning
The first indication something was wrong occurred when Lettie refused breakfast one morning, though her parents, Jack and Zuzanna, said she otherwise seemed completely normal. Within an hour of waking, the toddler vomited, turned pale, and began breathing laboriously before collapsing in her father's arms.
"Just hours before Lettie completely declined, Zuzanna turned to me and said 'Something is really wrong, I just have this feeling we're going to lose her'," recalled Jack, an Asda employee from Fleetwood. "It's crazy how powerful a mother's intuition is because, not long after that, Lettie went stiff. The best way to describe it is that her little body turned to stone – she was awake and crying but frozen."
Rare Brain Condition Diagnosis
After being rushed to hospital by ambulance, doctors initially suspected a febrile seizure. However, when Lettie's skin became purple and mottled, her parents insisted on further testing. Medical professionals discovered she had asymptomatic Covid-19, which had triggered ANE – a condition that causes rapid neurological decline by damaging critical brain structures.
"We had absolutely no idea she had Covid – the day prior she had been absolutely fine, and even said 'I love you' for the first time," said Jack. "Until Lettie was diagnosed, we had never once heard of ANE either. The doctors explained that it is extremely rare and she had about a 50% chance of survival."
Critical Days and Long Recovery
Lettie was placed on a ventilator and prescribed numerous medications, including steroids. She remained hospitalized for more than 100 days before being discharged in November 2025 to receive at-home care. The brain damage affected her movement, muscle control, ability to communicate, and eating functions.
"We were absolutely terrified," Jack admitted. "We couldn't imagine a world without Lettie in it. No doctor could tell us what would happen or how her life would look – we were met with a lot of 'only time will tell' – which though understandable, is very frustrating. We just wanted our little girl back."
Small Signs of Progress
Once stable, Lettie began intensive physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapies to regain lost functions. Currently, the toddler remains unable to move independently and requires a specialist mobility buggy, but she has shown encouraging signs of progress.
She can now hold objects with one hand, occasionally lift her head, and has become more vocal – babbling, giggling, and even saying "mama" and "dada" at times. Her parents remain cautiously optimistic despite the challenges ahead.
Parents' Mission to Raise Awareness
"We try to take every day as it comes – no expectations, just simply celebrating the little wins," said Jack. "Some days are harder than others. It's heartbreaking seeing such a smart, independent little girl become so dependent. She gets really frustrated often crying when she tries to speak but nothing comes out."
The couple now aims to spread awareness about ANE and how quickly it can change or even take a life. "Our goal now is to spread awareness of ANE – and how dangerous and sudden it is," Jack emphasized. "Some days it really hurts watching other children grow up and live a full life because we know she deserves that as well, and it feels like although she's alive, her life has been cut short. But she shows us daily that she is a little fighter and we believe she can achieve a lot."
