A three-year old boy suffering from a rare kidney condition was able to taste chocolate for the first time after undergoing transplant, the Daily Mail reports.
William Balestrini was born with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease which causes cysts to develop on the kidneys, thus damaging the tissue. Due to his condition, William is unable to eat chocolates and other foods like cheese and yogurt because his kidneys were unable to filter excess phosphate in his body. These foods contain phosphate and too much of it causes the parathyroid gland to secrete a hormone that triggers calcium to be leached out of the bones, resulting to poor growth and bone fractures. After receiving a kidney donation from his own father, he is now able to enjoy chocolate.
Nancy Rattner, William's mother, said: It was difficult, because he was so poorly and the only foods he wanted to eat were food that would harm him. We are all going out this Christmas and I just cannot wait. To be able to watch Will really enjoy himself, and tuck into his favorite treats is going to be fantastic. I've already put the decorations up and I can't wait to spoil Will and his brother. Before the operation, Will could barely eat anyting - it was hard, because he used to get chocolate all the time and couldn't eat it but now, he loves the stuff."
"It's great to see him tucking into his favorite food every now and really enjoying it. This Christmas will be the first year he eats a Christmas dinner too - we can't wait." Nancy and her partner, James, found out that Will might have a kidney condition at their 23-week scan.
