Statistics about unexpected deaths mask the true rate of hidden heart conditions among young people, a Swansea Valley mother has claimed.

Paulette Smith, who is campaigning for all youngsters in Wales to be screened for heart detects, was shocked when she looked into official figures for causes of death.

“I discovered that only unexpected deaths where no cause could he found were listed as sudden death syndrome.’’ said Mrs Smith, of Heolyffin, in Clydach.

‘Cases like my son, Christiaan, who died of myocarditis are not included because a cause of death was found.”

She added: “That was despite Christiaan appearing perfectly healthy and his death being a total shock 

“It also means that other cases where young people drop dead unexpectedly will not be included if it is later discovered they had a heart defect.

“Instead they are being lumped in with general cardiac death statistics.”

Mrs Smith, who met Assembly Health Minister Jane Hutt and Edwina Hart, Assembly Finance Minister and Gower AM on Monday, said the way statistics were put together meant the true extent of the problem of cardiac problems among youngsters was being masked.

“Jane Hutt has now agreed to try to unscramble the figures said Mrs Smith.

“She was sympathetic to my case and the ball is now in her court.”

Mrs Smith hopes that if clearer information shows there is a problem in Wales, the Assembly will agree to screen teenagers to pick up any problem before it is too late.