A six-year-old girl who was born without a foot has been told that the NHS can't afford to pay for a prosthetic foot for her. Scarlett Davies was born without a foot after it was amputated in the womb due to something called amniotic band syndrome.

According to the NHS, amniotic band syndrome occurs when the amniotic sac is damaged during pregnancy. This causes string-like strands to get tangled, and in Scarlett's case, a band tangled around her foot caused amputation before mum Kara Roberts had her 20-week scan.

Having been born with it, mum Kara explained that Scarlett adapted well as a toddler and learnt to walk without a prosthetic foot. However at around 18 months, Scarlett was fitted with what Kara describes as a leather boot, which allows her to wear shoes.

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Scarlett was born at Prince Charles Hospital in her hometown of Merthyr Tydfil, and continues to receive treatment there. As Scarlett has got older, Kara, 27, explained that issues have arisen with the leather boots which need replacing every four to five months.

"Within weeks the leather wears and there are holes in the heel of the boot. If she puts brand new white socks on after one wear the inside of the boot has turned them black. They have become quite painful for her and she gets blisters."

Kara explained that she has asked about the possibility of a silicone prosthetic which would closely resemble a foot, but has been told that this is too expensive as it would need replacing every so often as Scarlett grows. For the latest health and Covid news, sign up to our newsletter here.

Scarlett enjoying a recent holiday
It is left full of holes
The inside of the boot wears within weeks

"There have been times where the leather boot doesn't fit her correctly so needs to be remade. So she is waiting even longer wearing a boot that is full of holes in the meantime. The cost of having to get these remade would probably be the same as if she were to have a silicone prosthetic," Kara explained. Photos of the leather boots that Scarlett has worn show holes in the heels and the inside, whereScarlett's leg is fitted, deteriorating and blackened in colour from the wear.

Scarlett received one silicone foot privately through a fundraiser, however mum Kara stressed it won't be possible to fundraise for this as often as she will need it replacing around twice a year. Kara explained: "They matched the colour of her skin and it lasted around six months. Within about two to three weeks, the leather boots are worn." As she gets older, Kara explained it is getting a little harder for Scarlett as she wants to wear different shoes, but is restricted with her choice because of the way the boot fits.

While Scarlett doesn't let it stop her from living her life, there are some things she has begun to ask Kara about. Kara explained: "She says to me can I paint her toe nails. She says why can't I put flip flops on. Until you have a child that has got that problem it is hard to understand. It is affecting her and I don't want her to be thinking of that."

A spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: “We are sorry to hear about Scarlett’s experience and fully appreciate the concerns her family have raised. We encourage them to get in touch with us directly so that we can explore this further.”