A SIX-day-old baby died after inheriting a rare genetic condition which meant his body could not break down fatty acids to give his body energy, an inquest heard.

Oliver Rhys Wellock, was born on April 18, but he died at Royal Blackburn Hospital on April 24 after being struck by a condition called medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD), Burnley Coroner's Court heard yesterday.

Symptoms of MCADD can be triggered shortly after birth, due to an interruption in a newborn baby’s feeding, or if the infant falls ill, the inquest was told.

Oliver, from Peter Street, Colne, was born with a faulty or missing enzyme which the body normally uses to break down fatty acids. This meant there was a build-up of medium-chain fats inside the body, which can have a toxic effect.

This causes body to use its glucose resources as an alternative energy source, which can lead to a sudden and severe drop in blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia).

Symptoms of the condition include feeling very tired and sluggish, being sick, seizures, coma, brain damage, and liver failure.

East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor recorded a verdict of natural death.

Addressing Oliver’s parents at the inquest, Mr Taylor said: “It will feel anything but a natural cause of death to you and I offer my sincere condolences for your loss.”