Early Career Researchers

Paisley is a Patient at Leeds Children’s Hospital

When 9-year-old Paisley from Bradford was a toddler, her parents noticed something wasn’t right. Despite a healthy diet and active lifestyle, Paisley was always hungry and gained weight.

Referrals and tests found no underlying health condition, aside from Hyperphagia – the extreme unsatisfied drive to consume food.

Claire, Paisleys Mum says: “We didn’t know what to do, with no answers or cure, Paisley’s condition has been a daily challenge. She’s been in and out of hospital since she was little, and is incredibly resilient, but recognises she is different to some of her peers.”

She was referred to Leeds for specialist care, and the Children’s Clinical Research Facility asked Paisley if she would like to take part in a research trial. This facility supports the delivery of paediatric research across the diverse range of clinical services and specialities at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

In May 2024, Paisley started the trial, which involves weight loss injections designed for children. The patients are either given the injection with the treatment or a placebo.

Six months on, Paisley has made great progress.

Claire says: “This trial came at the right time before Paisley starts secondary school, where she may come across people who are judgmental and don’t understand her condition. More importantly, it felt like the only hope for Paisley to prevent her from developing health conditions in the future.”

Paisley continued her active lifestyle, going to dance classes several times per week.

“It’s been transformative for Paisley. As a family, the hope is the research will help other children so they don’t have to struggle as Paisley has.”

When Paisley first started the trial, some people told both Claire and Jamie, Paisley’s Dad, they shouldn’t put their child through it.

“We knew that without research like this, change won’t happen. We were always told she can stop the trial at any time if it doesn’t feel right for her, and it is family-led. The staff at the Children’s Clinical Research Facility are absolutely fantastic. They really care, and nothing is too much trouble – they even draw and dance with her. Paisley feels comfortable and in control of her treatment journey as part of the trial.”

Paisley will spend two more years on the trial, at the end of which she will find out if she was on the new treatment or the placebo, which will inform her treatment path going forward.

Claire says: “We hope this trial raises awareness of rare conditions and helps challenge preconceptions of weight related conditions. Paisley is a great advocate for other children struggling with weight, and is able to achieve so much more now, including doing the splits! We tell her she can do anything she sets her mind to.”

 All photo credits: Ruby Lee
@ruby.angelaleephoto
rubyangelalee.myportfolio.com