Isaiah Haastrup: UK judge rules doctors can end baby's life without parents' consent

A British high court judge has ruled that intensive care treatment can be withdrawn for a brain-damaged 11-month-old boy despite his parents' wishes for continued intervention.

Judge Alistair MacDonald said Monday in Birmingham that doctors can stop providing life support treatment to Isaiah Haastrup.

They argued the little boy suffered "catastrophic" brain damage because of oxygen deprivation at birth.

Medics say he is unable to respond to stimulation, cannot move or breathe independently and is kept alive by a ventilator.

They say continued life-support was "not in his best interests" and the child should be transferred to palliative care.

His parents Takesha Thomas and Lanre Haastrup want his treatment to continue.

Thomas told the court her son is responsive.

"When I speak to him he will respond, slowly, by opening one eye", she said.

"I see a child who is injured. He needs love. He needs care. I have it. I can give it.

"To say it is so poor, it is not worth living, that is not right. It is not their decision to make."

The case had been heard in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

Both specialists at King's College Hospital and Judge MacDonald have paid tribute to the family and expressed their sadness over the case.

"Examining Isaiah's best interests from a broad perspective I am satisfied that it is not in his best interests for life-sustaining medical treatment to be continued", Judge MacDonald said during summing up.

"That, with profound sadness, is my judgment."

Isaiah's father told the BBC the family weren't giving up hope.

"We will be speaking to the lawyers to see what they say", he said outside court.

"Of course, one is disappointed."

The couple have submitted a separate claim against the hospital for criminal negligence.

A spokesperson for the trust agreed there were "some failings" in their care and "apologised unreservedly".

With AP.