The High Court has ruled that a premature baby must be given a life-saving blood transfusion, despite the objections of its parents who are Jehovah's witnesses.
Mr Justice George Birmingham has directed that the transfusion be carried out only as a last resort and when no alternative treatment is regarded as viable.
The court heard that the baby boy, who is being called Baby B, was premature at 30 weeks and has developed a condition causing internal bleeding.
It heard that there is no immediate need for a transfusion but an emergency might develop over the Christmas period.
The matter has been adjourned until this Friday at the High Court.
