Baby boy survived after his life support was switched off

Baby boy who was declared brain dead miraculously survives after his life support was switched OFF by doctors

• Kaleb Crook, now 15 months old, was given zero per cent chance of survival
• His parents said goodbye to their baby at ten days old, switching off support
• But shockingly, he continued to breathe and squeezed his mother’s finger 

A baby boy who was given no chance of survival after being declared brain dead miraculously survived after his life support was switched off.

Kaleb Crook, now 15 months old, astounded doctors when he continued to breathe on his own and squeezed his mother’s finger. 

His parents, Becki and Phil Crook, had said their final goodbyes to their ten-day-old son, who was brain damaged due to oxygen deprivation. 

But Kaleb defied all odds, and, despite having complex needs due to his severe brain damage, will now have his first Christmas at home in Ratby, Leicestershire.  

Kaleb Crook, 15 months old, pictured with his mother, Becki Crook, 30, was declared brain dead but miraculously survived after his life support was switched off by doctors

 Kaleb Brook suffered oxygen deprivation either in the womb or at birth, giving him severe brain damage. At ten days old, un-hopeful doctors decided to withdraw all care

Mrs Crook, 30, said: ‘Kaleb gave my finger the faintest of squeezes and looked up at me, as if to say “it’s going to be okay, Mummy!”

‘And now, despite Kaleb’s complex needs and severe brain injury, he loves to smile, especially when he hears his sister’s voice.’

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Why do babies have oxygen deprivation? 

Oxygen deprivation, also known as asphyxia, is a significant risk for babies during the labor and delivery process.

It can be caused by several factors, or a combination of unfortunate circumstances. The most common problems leading to oxygen deprivation include trauma to the infant in utero, problems with the placenta or a prolapsed umbilical cord.

Lack of oxygen at birth can result in long-term effects that affect the entire family. 

Infants suffering from oxygen deprivation often develop disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), seizures, and behavioral problems.

The consequences of oxygen deprivation most often last for a lifetime.

Source: Birth Injury Guide 

Mr Crook, 33, and his wife were told their baby would have extensive brain damage after being deprived of oxygen at some point in the womb or during birth.

Figures show that three in 1,000 babies in Britain either die or become severely brain-damaged due to a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the brain around the time of birth. 

Mother-of-two Mrs Crook – who had an accidental home birth following a rapid labour – still has no idea why her son suffered from the severe starvation of oxygen.

She said: ‘Kaleb was delivered, but we quickly saw that he was pale, floppy and not breathing.

‘He was put onto life support as soon as he arrived at the hospital, and doctors told me that there was minimal brain activity and that there was no hope for his future.’ 

Doctors decided to withdraw all care, and the family were transferred to a specialised children’s hospice for end of life treatment.

Mrs Crook said: ‘There was nothing we could do for him. I couldn’t believe what had happened to our perfect pregnancy.

‘We had to prepare for end of life care at Rainbows Hospice after doctors told us that Kaleb had catastrophic brain damage and that he would most likely die imminently. 

‘We were told he would only live for a few minutes so I held him so tightly in my arms.

‘But then he gave us a ray of hope.’

Kaleb Crook will enjoy his first Christmas at home with his family, including sister, Eden, four

The cause of Kaleb’s HIE Grade 3 diagnosis, a severe, irreversible brain damage caused by deprivation of oxygen, is still unclear

Despite all odds, and a HIE Grade 3 diagnosis – a severe, irreversible brain damage – Kaleb survived. 

His prognosis is still unclear, but his family have moved on and couldn’t be prouder of him.

Mrs Crook said: ‘This is our new normal. This Christmas is a Christmas we never expected to have.

‘Kaleb can now be with us, experiencing the joy of life, against the odds.

‘Our hope is that Kaleb will experience happiness and peace, in whatever capacity he is capable of. We want him to know how loved he is.’

This Christmas, Kaleb is able to enjoy being at home with his parents and older sister, Eden, now four.

‘He is a true and living miracle, defying all of the doctor’s expectations’, said Mrs Crook about Kaleb, who she had with her husband, Phil Crook

Mrs Crook, a midwife, added: ‘No one knows what the future holds for Kaleb but at the moment he’s choosing “life” everyday and defying the odds. 

‘We had no idea we’d still have him with us today, he has astounded everyone he’s met.

‘He is a true and living miracle, defying all of the doctor’s expectations.’

The family continue to rely on Rainbow Hospice for care and respite, and are are fundraising for the organisation. Click here to donate. 

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