Spoilers: Tragic brain damage confirmed for Oliver in Corrie

Leanne Tilsley (Jane Danson) and Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) were brought into Dr Ward’s (Zitta Sattar) office during tonight’s episode of Coronation Street, where they learned that Oliver has suffered brain damage following his prolonged seizure.

Oliver woke up during the previous episode after the doctors opted to reduce his sedation, but Leanne and Steve became worried when he was seemingly unable to focus on anything — not even his beloved toy red car.

Leanne was devastated, and began to fear the worst, but Liz (Beverley Callard) advised her to remain positive.

After conducting some tests, Dr Ward invited Leanne and Steve into the office, where she informed them that Oliver’s trouble focusing is a result of damage caused to the brain following his prolonged seizure.

Given that they don’t yet have a definitive diagnosis yet — although Dr Ward does think he might have mitochondrial disease — it’s hard to make predictions, but she reiterated that Oliver might not get back to where was developmentally.

What is mitochondrial disease?

Mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body (except red blood cells).

Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support organ function. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole organ systems begin to fail.

The parts of the body, such as the heart, brain, muscles and lungs, requiring the greatest amounts of energy are the most affected.

Symptoms vary depending on the organ(s) affected but may include seizures, atypical cerebral palsy, autistic features, developmental problems, fainting and temperature instability.

According to The Lily Foundation, the prognosis depends upon the severity of the disease and other criteria. As more research funds are raised to find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure, some of the affected children and adults are living fairly normal lives with mitochondrial disease.

In other cases, children may not be able to see, hear, talk or walk. Affected children may not survive beyond their teenage years. Adult onset can result in drastic changes from an active lifestyle to a debilitating ilness is a short amount of time.

Treatment plans vary from patient to patient but involve therapies, diet changes and other means to try and slow the progress of the disease.

You can find out more information from the NHS here.

Leanne refused to believe such information — reminding Steve that Liz told them to think positively — but Steve later enquired if Oliver’s brain damage is permanent, and Dr Ward confirmed that there’s a high chance it will be.

Leanne continued to remain optimistic, and she was delighted when Oliver said ‘Mummy’, but Steve and Nick (Ben Price) shared a worried look.

Will Leanne be able to come to terms with what the doctor has said?

Coronation Street continues Friday 29 May at 7:30pm on ITV.

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