‘Remarkable’ boy who was expected to die after ventilator was removed has ‘confounded all medical expectations’

A “remarkable” four-year-old boy who was expected to die shortly after his life support was withdrawn has “confounded all medical expectations”.

The child, known only as NR, was born with a severe brain malformation and had spent months in a critical care unit after two cardiac arrests.

In April Mr Justice Poole ruled life-sustaining ventilation was not in the child’s best interests, following a High Court bid by King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

However, the boy “has not only survived but has made progress” after his ventilator was removed more than four months ago, the judge said in a ruling in September.

NR is now breathing for himself, the judge said.

“The expectations that NR could not be cared for at home and would not survive long after extubation have not been fulfilled,” he continued.

In his judgment, Mr Justice Poole lifted declarations which would have allowed doctors to withhold CPR or not provide certain treatments.

He said when some orders about treatment were made in January this year, NR was “suffering many more burdens” and there was “little to no evidence that he could derive pleasure from life, other than the consoling touch of his parents”.

But, the judge continued: “Now he can be taken outside, for example to the park.

“He can enjoy the sun on his face and the feel of the wind in his hair. He is living in a loving home environment.”

He said it was a “delight” to see pictures of the boy at home with his “devoted” parents.

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Child has ‘strong’ will to live, mother says

The boy’s mother told the High Court in a statement her son’s will to live is “strong” and he has a good life.

She said: “NR survived when the doctors and nurses who looked after him for months thought he could not… NR has earned a new start and he deserves it.”