Baby who was pronounced dead has since begun to breathe, High Court judge discloses

A three month old baby who was given several brain stem tests and pronounced dead following the “irreversible cessation of brain stem functioning” has since begun to breathe, a High Court judge has disclosed.1Mr Justice Hayden was to hear an application on 13 July by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust for a declaration that the baby was brain dead and could lawfully have ventilation and medication stopped. But, “in entirely unforeseen circumstances and unprecedented in the experience of all in this court, the situation changed dramatically,” he said.At the beginning of July a nurse at Evelina Children’s Hospital contacted the consultant caring for the baby, referred to as “A,” to say that she had seen him both move and attempt to breathe. The diagnosis of brain death was rescinded.Hayden said, “There is now a large measure of agreement as to the way forward, but it is important for this…
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