Victoria Beckham's epileptic heartache

Nov 6, 2006, 8:10 GMT

Victoria Beckham © Photorazzi

Victoria Beckham's son Romeo has epilepsy.

The former Spice Girl, who is married to superstar footballer David, revealed her middle son's condition during a confrontation with paparazzi at London's Heathrow airport last week.

Romeo, who was being pushed in his buggy by his mother, was photographed shielding his eyes from the flashing lights of the cameras, which can trigger violent fits in sufferers of the brain condition.

According to Britain's News of the World newspaper, Victoria shouted at the snappers: "Leave him alone. He's got epilepsy. All that flashing will start an epileptic fit. You can't do that."

Fears that Romeo, four, could have epilepsy surfaced last year after it was revealed the tot had endured several fits - during which he vomited and experienced convulsions.

Victoria and David were told their son had epilepsy, which can be fatal, by medical experts just a few months ago.

The pair - who have two other sons, Brooklyn, seven, and Cruz, one - are now terrified the huge number of paparazzi who follow their every move could cause Romeo to have a life-threatening seizure.

A friend of the couple said: "They are worried sick about Romeo. He is on medication to control the seizures but obviously things like flashing lights can trigger one at any time.

"They hope the medication will keep the number of fits he suffers down to a minimum so he can enjoy as normal a life as possible."

(C) BANG Media International