Blitz Bureau
WESTMINSTER: A four-year-old boy who was expected to die shortly after his life support was removed has “confounded” medical expectations, a UK judge has said in a ruling.
Months before, the High Court ruled that life-sustaining ventilation was not in the child’s best interest, after hearing evidence from doctors treating him.
The boy, referred to as NR in court records, was born with severe brain abnormalities and his health was deteriorating. The judge said the “remarkable young boy” had “not only survived but has made progress” and now lived at home with his parents. NR still has significant medical challenges.
Mr Justice Poole said: “It seems to me to be a wonderful surprise that NR has confounded expectations, that he no longer requires continuing invasive interventions and, in particular, that he has been able to return home to the loving care of his devoted parents.” Last year, the parents of a critically ill baby called Indi Gregory launched a number of legal challenges in a bid to prolong their daughter’s life.
The family tried to convince High Court, Court of Appeal and European Court of Human Rights judges that she should continue to receive care. Indi died in November 2023 after her life support was turned off.
