THE parents of a desperately ill baby lost the latest stage in their fight to prolong their daughter’s life last night.

A High Court judge refused to suspend an order he made in October giving doctors permission not to resuscitate 15-month-old Charlotte Wyatt the next time she stops breathing.

Her parents, Debbie and Darren, wanted the order lifted because they believe they have seen an improvement in Charlotte’s condition since it was made. Mrs Wyatt, 23, burst into tears and ran from the court when Mr Justice Hedley made his ruling. Her husband bowed his head and stared at his hands. The couple later announced that they would be appealing against the decision.

Doctors believe that Charlotte is so sick she should be allowed to die in peace. Her parents, both Christians, argue that their daughter is a “fighter” who should be given every chance. She weighed 1lb (450g) when she was born in October 2003 and was only 5in (12.7cm) long.

In October Mr Justice Hedley agreed with doctors that Charlotte should not be subjected to artificial ventilation if she stops breathing. Instead she should be given “tender loving care” and allowed to slip away.

Yesterday the Wyatts’ barrister told the judge that the couple had since seen an improvement in Charlotte that they believe justifies lifting the order while independent medical experts reassess her.

David Wolfe reminded the judge that in October Charlotte had been described as experiencing great pain and distress and needed substantial sedation. Her head was kept constantly in an oxygen box and her quality of life was described as terrible.

“But the position has moved on,” Mr Wolfe said.

One of the medical experts, Dr C — none of the doctors in the case could be identified because of fears of attacks by pro-life activists — had reported that Charlotte now had “genuinely good days” when she received no sedatives and was taken out of her oxygen box and given an oxygen mask instead. She would frown and grimace, although she did not smile, and responded in a limited way to light and sound.

However, the court was told doctors do not believe the improvement reflects a deeper change in her underlying condition: her brain has not grown at all and she will never see or hear. Mr Justice Hedley, who is also a Christian, agreed to allow an investigation to take place in the next few weeks to determine whether visible improvements in Charlotte’s state reflect a deeper turnaround.

But he refused to lift the resuscitation order in the meantime, saying there was no evidence to show the improvements reflected any change in Charlotte’s very serious underlying condition. Should Charlotte stop breathing during the investigation it will be left to her doctors whether she should be resuscitated.

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