text: When Jasmine Midgley was born with a birthmark, her parents were assured it was nothing to worry about. But within weeks it had nearly killed her, after doctors failed to realise it was cutting off her air supply. At just 10 weeks old, she was rushed back to hospital because the seemingly harmless mark had started growing into her throat, almost closing over her airways and choking her. Jasmine Midgley nearly died after a birthmark began blocking her airways. Her parents Tanja and Steven were warned she may not survive . In the days after her birth, the seemingly harmless mark had started growing into her throat, almost closing over her airways and choking her. Doctors diagnosed a rare condition called a subglottic hemangioma - a benign tumour made up of blood vessels that can be on the skin or go deeper . Despite several trips to the GP and A&E, her parents Tanja and Steven, of Stockton-on-Tees, had been repeatedly told their daughter had bronchiolitis. This is a common infection of the upper airways that most often affects babies and young children. But when antibiotics failed to help Jasmine's severe cold-like symptoms, she was kept in the University Hospital of North Tees overnight. Her life-threatening problem was only detected the next day when a new doctor came onto the ward and noticed the birthmark  - which by now had spread all over her neck - was cutting off her air supply. Doctors explained the birthmark had sparked the problems because of a rare condition called a subglottic hemangioma. Haemangiomas are benign  tumors made up of blood vessels that can be on the skin or go deeper. They usually appear days to weeks after birth and the type that affected Jasmine occur in the breathing passage, just below the vocal cords. If they grow and are left untreated, they can cause potentially fatal breathing difficulties. Mrs Midgeley, 39, a full-time mother, said: 'I had my suspicions the birth mark might have been responsible for Jasmine's illness. 'We'd been told that it was nothing to worry about, even though it had spread all over her neck by this stage. Despite several trips to the GP and A&E, her parents Tanja and Steven, of Stockton-on-Tees, had been repeatedly told their daughter had bronchiolitis - a common infection of the airways . Jasmine was treated successfully with medication which shrunk the blood vessels over two weeks. Her mother claims doctors were surprised she survived . 'The new doctor took one look at her and knew right away that her sickness was connected to it.' Jasmine's birthmark didn't become visible until she was about a week old. Her mother added: 'It continued to grow and Steven mentioned that it was getting a lot bigger. 'But all my kids had birthmarks and I told him they just disappear on their own. She added: 'It wasn't until we were in hospital and the nurse mentioned it that we put two and two together.' After being seen by a doctor, Jasmine was transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle and taken into theatre for a closer examination. Meanwhile her father, the manager of a waste transfer centre, began Googling his daughter's symptoms. Mrs Midgley said: 'We were really scared. The search brought up some horrible pictures but at the same time, I felt we were in the best possible place and she was getting the attention she needed. Now four months old, Jasmine is thriving. Her father said: 'She is so much happier and settled. It's really scary to think that she was essentially choking on this birthmark and we didn't know' 'When the doctors and nurses wheeled Jasmine back in they were grey - they couldn't believe what they had found.' Jasmine was treated successfully with medication which shrunk the blood vessels over two weeks and her mother claims doctors were surprised she survived. Haemangiomas are benign  tumors made up of blood vessels that can be on the skin or go deeper. They usually appear days to weeks after birth and can occur anywhere in the body. In the head and neck, haemangiomas can be located on or around the face, eyes, ears, saliva glands, mouth, and tongue. The type that affected Jasmine occur in the breathing passage, just below the vocal cords, and are called 'subglottic hemangiomas'. If they grow and are left untreated, they can cause potentially fatal breathing difficulties. Subglottic hemangiomas may form a large mass in the subglottic airway causing varying degrees of airway obstruction. Many require active intervention because of their life-threatening nature in the airway. Symptoms of one include: . Croup-like cough . Noisy breathing when inhaling and exhaling . Difficulty breathing . Now four months old, Jasmine is thriving. Mr Midgley, 43, said: 'She is a completely different baby now, she is so much happier and settled. 'It's really scary to think that she was essentially choking on this birthmark and we didn't know.' A spokesman for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust said: 'Birthmarks like these are very rare and difficult to spot. 'We're very pleased that the problem was identified the very next morning and Jasmine got the care she needed.' Her father has now decided to run more than 100 miles in races, triathlons and obstacle courses to raise money for The Sick Children's Trust. The charity supported the family when Jasmine was being treated in February, putting them up free of charge near the Royal Victoria Infirmary. He said: 'It was invaluable to us as it meant Tanja and I could stay nearby the hospital while Jasmine was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and we could be just seconds away if we were needed. 'It was an absolute godsend and gave us some normality throughout the ordeal.' Mr Midgley who only quit his 40-a-day smoking habit seven months ago, is now taking part in the dozen events, over the spring and summer, and running weekly parkruns, to raise money for the charity. To support the fundraising effort visit: https://www.justgiving.com/Steven-Midgley/ or facebook.com/teammidge .
target: Jasmine Midgley, now four months, was born with a 'harmless' birthmark .
  Had problems breathing but doctors said she simply had an infection .
  Weeks later discovered the 'mark' had grown into her throat, choking her .
  Benign tumour of blood vessels blocking her airways has now been treated .