A mum is pleading for people to donate blood after her two-year-old daughter was struck by an undiagnosed illness that left her the size of a one-year-old.

The toddler is being kept alive by blood donations.

Former medical administrator Steph Davidson, 25, and her 27-year-old husband Jordan were thrilled to welcome their daughter, Adeline, in November 2016.

But her joyful birth was marred by a bowel obstruction which required surgery.

Adeline, from Alness in Scotland, recovered well, but Steph noticed her daughter was always small for her age.

At the age of one she was wearing clothes for children aged up to six months old.

The mother of a two-year-old girl has urged people to donate blood after she was struck down by a mystery illness. Blood donations are keeping her daughter alive. Source: mediadrumworld.com/@adelinebluesjourney_x

In 2018 Steph made an appointment to see a paediatrician, but the four-month wait delayed this until February 5, 2019.

The paediatrician noted how pale Adeline looked, although she seemed otherwise healthy.

Nonetheless, he did blood tests and just a few hours later Steph received a call asking her to come back in immediately.

Adelines blood tests revealed possible blood cancer and Steph was told to prepare for her not to come home.

Initially, doctors suspected leukaemia but when Adeline was transferred to Aberdeen Hospital, further tests confirmed it wasnt this particular cancer.

But doctors were no closer to a diagnosis.

Adeline was tested for chromosome mutations, genetic conditions, other types of cancer and doctors are now testing her genomes to find a diagnosis.

The two-year-old has very low platelets, red-blood cell and white-blood cell counts, which causes bruises, petechia, tiredness, breathlessness and paleness.

In March, doctors believed Adeline could have myelodysplasia, a blood cancer and bone marrow failure, but she shows signs which extend beyond this diagnosis although it hasnt been confirmed or ruled out.

Since her diagnosis, Adeline had to be pulled out of nursery for fears of infection or falling which would have devastating impacts on her weakened system.

Steph started sharing Adelines journey on@adelinebluesjourney_xto encourage more people to donate blood or become stem cell donors and has already seen almost 3000 more donors sign up and help save her daughters life.

The two-year-old is seen here receiving blood as doctors continue to try and diagnose an illness that leaves her the size of a one-year-old. Source: mediadrumworld.com/@adelinebluesjourney_x

Adeline was born with a bowel obstruction which led to her having surgery as she was a poor feeder, but even after surgery she remained a poor feeder, Steph said.

She struggled putting on weight and going up a clothes size, so at one she was still in size three to six months.

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Now, at almost three years old she wears 12 to 18 months.

I had been complaining about her weight and height for a while, but I eventually got an appointment with a paediatrician and had to wait four months. She hadnt put weight on for 18 months and was much smaller than other kids her age.

I always put it down to her bowel problems from birth, but little did we know there was something else unusual with Ads.

The paediatrician... took blood tests to check her iron levels... a few hours later I got a phone call asking to take Adeline in for results. I hesitated because it was a long way to go, so he told me over the phone that her bloods indicated a serious problem possibly blood cancer, Steph continued.

He told us to prepare for not coming home. My heart just stopped, I couldnt believe it and I was hysterical.

I was looking at Adeline, who to me was a healthy, happy, beautiful girl, but they were telling me she was seriously ill it didnt make sense.

While searching for a stem-cell match, Adelines blood tests have been reviewed internationally, in Canada and Germany among other countries, to widen the search.

Adeline needs a bone marrow transplant to save her life, but no full matches have been found yet so blood transfusions keep her stable until a match is found.

Low blood counts put Adeline at risk of infection, internal bruising and bleeding out through a small cut as her blood cannot clot as usual.

But Steph insists her battle with this mystery illness hasnt dimmed Adelines spirits as she maintains her lively personality and refuses to stop having fun.

It was planned that Adeline would have a Hickman line put in to allow blood to be taken, transfusions to be given, and any medicine can go through the lines too, Steph said.

This was the best news because it was becoming traumatic for Ads as each time she had to get bloods taken, it took five attempts. Her veins were so weak and small, so theyd often collapse or move when the needle went in.

She was an absolute star during the operation and calls her lines her toggles. Shes not phased in the slightest with this new accessory.

Australscope

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Mum's tireless campaign as daughter, 2, is kept alive by blood donors - Yahoo News Australia