A Connemara family has already noticed significant improvement in their brave toddler following pioneering stem cell treatment in China a few weeks ago.

Two years old Mia Allen from Seanaféistín in Costello was born eight weeks prematurely is in University Hospital Galway with a litany of medical conditions, which included respiratory distress, acute renal failure and little brain activity.

But yesterday her mother Barbara told The Connacht Tribune that their “little angel” is already enjoying improved sight and hearing as well as stronger muscle strength.

This is after eight stem cells treatment administered intra-venously at a hospital in the Quingdao region, where she was for five and a half weeks.

Barbara and Mia were joined by Mia’s father Seamus for the last week and the three of them returned home the day before Christmas Eve.

 "I have noticed a marked improved in her since we came home. She is definitely seeing and hearing more and her muscle tone is definitely stronger.

“The hospital and the staff were fantastic. They all loved Mia and even now if she hears Chinese music she smiles. And she loved the food there. The only set back was she developed an allergy to the milk there because it is not pasteurised but we soon got over that,” said Barbara, who was told when her daughter was born that she wouldn’t survive beyond the age of two, would never lift her head and would never smile.

Mia, who is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, has defied the medics and is due to celebrate her third birthday this July.

She also never stops smiling and is obviously very intelligent as she responses positively to friends and family around her.

In fact little Mia gives huge joy to her family and as the youngest of four gets lots of attention.

Her family would do anything to improve the quality of her life and last year this involved fundraising over €40,000 to help fund the treatment and cover travel and living expenses for the trip.

Read full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune