A toddler with a rare defect of the throat has had a setback in her battle to breathe and speak unaided.

Two-year-old Rosie Toal, who just five months ago had a breathing tube removed — it was fitted shortly after her birth — has had it replaced following an emergency dash to hospital.

The toddler, who has the rare Di George Syndrome, was struggling to breathe and at one point turned blue through lack of oxygen.

She was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary from Airedale Hospital, where the tube was re-fitted.

The removal had enabled her mum and dad, James, 32 and Liz, 38, of Denholme Gate, to hear their daughter’s voice for the first time.

She was born with a small jaw — which pushed her tongue down on her windpipe — and a cleft palate and to date has undergone ten operations.

“Following the removal of the tube she was putting so much effort into breathing she was wasting energy and losing weight,” said James.

At 31 months, Rosie is still only 18lb in weight and is still not walking.

“It was frightening at times during the night when we saw her trying to breathe and having coughing fits,” he said.

“We had to take her back to Airedale where she was admitted and had another attack and was sent by emergency transfer to Leeds, where she went into intensive care, was given oxygen and then had the breathing tube re-fitted.

“She is now much happier — and breathing normally again. We have now the task of building her weight up, which we understand will help even more.

“We expect it to be at least a year before we can look again at removing the tube.” Meanwhile, because the tube impairs her ability to speak, Rosie is to be taught signing,” James added. Di George Syndrome was diagnosed by a genetics team at St James’s Hospital, in Leeds.