Kit Tarka Foundation

Our mission: To prevent newborn baby deaths through research and education. Our vision: Babies who are born healthy stay healthy. Preventable neonatal deaths in the UK are eliminated. The Kit Tarka Foundation (KTF) was established after Sarah and James de Malplaquet's son Kit Tarka died from neonatal herpes at just 13 days old. Neonatal herpes is a devastating virus which can ravage a new baby's body in a matter of days and, even if treated, can cause death or long term health problems such as brain damage or cerebral palsy. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) which can be transmitted before, during or after birth from the mother or another individual in close contact with the baby. HSV was not suspected in Kit until it was too late so he never received the antivirals which would most likely have saved his life. We know of no other UK charity which initiates and funds research into prevention of neonatal deaths so KTF was formed with a mission to prevent newborn baby deaths through research and education. We are determined to do all we can to prevent more families from going through the devastating tragedy Sarah and James have endured. Our initial projects will focus on neonatal herpes but in the longer term, the aim is for KTF to fund projects relating to all causes of preventable neonatal death. Charity No: 1178030