A critically ill youngster who was placed on life-support after catching a cold has made it home just in time for Christmas.

Five-year-old Carter Gates, of Livingstone Road, Gravesend, was discharged from the paediatric intensive care unit at Evelina London Children’s Hospital after 10 days.

He was rushed there two weeks ago after initially being taken to Darent Valley Hospital after becoming unwell.

Mum Leigh-Anne said: “We are extremely happy he has come home for Christmas. I am just so lucky he is home.

“We cannot take him out as he needs time to recover but he loves the lights and inflatables in our garden so we are going outside every night.”

Carter has a rare syndrome which went undiagnosed until he was four, by which time he had already been intubated three times.

At nine months, he was admitted to Darent Valley for 10 days with a cold and bacterial infection when he suddenly crashed on the ward and was blue-lighted to Evelina.

The youngster, who is non-verbal, was diagnosed with muscle weakness, unsafe swallowing, and global developmental delay and is dependent on the ventilator to breathe.

After four years, the family was given the full diagnosis of ARID1B Syndrome – an ultra-rare condition which is caused by a gene defect.

Leigh-Anne, 37, added: “I thought a diagnosis would help but as it is so rare with not a lot of information on it. It means we have to continue to do what he needs and follow his signs.

“He is a very cheeky, happy little boy, who loves nature. Unfortunately, we have to be very careful as he is very vulnerable to viruses.”

Carter was taken to hospital on December 4 after he caught RSV – a common, contagious virus – which has caused difficulties with his breathing.

Speaking to KentOnline previously, Leigh-Anne said: “He was fine the night before but the following morning he just went into respiratory failure.

“I took him to the hospital and was told he would have only had about two hours. It was the first time he had to be put on life support in front of me.

“It was traumatic to watch. It is heartbreaking seeing him like this.”

Carter was intubated and then transferred to Evelina where he was on life support for a week before being moved onto a ventilator after a few days.

He was finally discharged last Thursday (December 14) after he was able to breathe without the ventilator, although he still requires chest physiotherapy and suctioning.

The mum-of-five added: “He is a miracle child, he is the most resilient, special little man. He has just bounced right back.

“We are still taking precautions so we will not be travelling or able to go to Santa’s Grotto but we will be home with our family on Christmas.

“We are all still recovering from this. We were not sure if he would be back but he had other plans.”

Carter is in Year 1 at special needs school Ifield School in Cedar Avenue, Gravesend, and has received an outpouring of support from the community.

Cards and gifts were sent to his house which his dad Derek Whiffin was bringing with him on daily visits, and to the Ronald McDonald House in London, where Leigh-Anne was staying.

Leigh-Anne said: “We as a family are extremely grateful to the community for their continued support.

“Thank you all for your praying, it has answered my prayers.”