The parents of a seriously disabled baby have won their court battle to prevent doctors from withdrawing life-prolonging treatment from the child.

At the High Court today, Mr Justice Holman said that he did not believe that it was in the boy's best interests to withdraw treatment. He said he believed that the child, who can only be referred to as MB for legal reasons, gained enough pleasure from life to outweigh the suffering of his condition.

MB, who is 18 months old, suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, a rare degenerative disorder which leads to almost complete paralysis.

Doctors had argued that treatment should be withdrawn from MB because he had an "intolerable life".

However, the child's parents wanted him kept alive, arguing that he could recognise and respond to them. His mother told the court that MB responded to certain cartoons, such as the movies 'Shrek' and 'Finding Nemo'.

Following the ruling, the hospital trust - which also cannot be identified - issued a statement saying that the case had been extremely difficult. It said: "We will now go on to consider the detail of the ruling and how best to continue to act in MB's interests."

The family also released a statement after the ruling. Their solicitor said that they were "delighted" by the decision. He said: "The judgement given today shows recognition that MB does have quality of life and that his life is worth living. His parents feel vindicated by the judgement, which they feel proves what they have felt to be true all along."

Commenting on the ruling, Dr Vivienne Nathanson, Head of Science and Ethics at the British Medical Association, said: "Such tragic cases are, fortunately, very rare. It is clear that both parties wanted the best for MB, but differed on what was in his best interests.

"It is unusual for doctors and parents not to agree after they have spent time discussing and listening to each other's concerns.

"However, when an agreement cannot be reached, the only way forward is for the court to make a decision. We are sure Mr Justice Holman will have agonised over the decision but focused on what is right for the child."

(KMcA/GB)