A father whose son was born with a rare neuromuscular condition will go to the High Court today to try to stop a hospital withdrawing support that keeps the child alive.

Doctors treating the one-year-old boy say that his quality of life is so poor that it would not be in his best interests to keep him alive. They say that they are supported in their action by the baby’s mother. The couple are separated.

The child, known for legal reasons as Baby RB, was born with congenital myasthenic syndrome, a muscle condition that severely limits movement and the ability to breathe independently. He has been in hospital since birth.

If the hospital doctors succeed in their application it will be the first time that a British court has gone against the wishes of a parent and ruled that life support can be discontinued or withdrawn from a child who does not have brain damage.

Lawyers for the father say that the child’s brain is not affected by the condition and that he can see, hear and feel, and recognise his parents. He is also apparently able to play with toys. The court will be shown video footage of the boy engaging with his parents and playing with his toys.

Neither of the parents, who have been living at dedicated family accommodation near the hospital since the birth of their baby, can be named for legal reasons.

Christopher Cuddihee, a solicitor acting for the father, said that the case was tragic. “The father feels very strongly that Baby RB has a quality of life that demands the [health] trust should continue to provide life-sustaining treatment,” he said.

“The father clearly adores his son and hopes to demonstrate to the court that the trust’s application should be rejected.”

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