Baby boy suffered stroke just two hours after birth

A BABY boy became the UK's youngest stroke victim as he was left fighting for his life just TWO hours after being born.

Little Archie James faced three days on the special care unit where he was placed on a life support machine and watched around the clock by medics.

The newborn wasn't breathing when he was born on December 3 last year and immediately had to be resuscitated.

Just a few hours later Archie started having seizures.

He was sedated and rushed 98 miles from West Cumberland Hospital, Cumbria, to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle that evening.

Dad David, 32, said: "When Archie was born, lifeless and unresponsive, my whole world went dark."

David added: "Up until this point we'd had no complications so to suddenly be faced with the prospect that our son might not live was too much to comprehend.

"We were over the moon when Archie started breathing on his own, but we knew there was more to come once the seizures started. It was heart-wrenching.

"Everything felt out of my control. Emma was taken to the postnatal ward and Archie was admitted to the special care baby unit. I was at a loss."

Doctor's were left unable to pinpoint if Archie suffered the stroke during labour or after he was born.

Archie and his mum Emma were able to return home five days later after the tense aftermath of his delivery.

Thankfully, doctors have predicted the tot has a 90 percent chance of making a full recovery, although it is still unknown whether the stroke has resulted in any long-term damage.

David is now raising money for the charity that supported his family during the "heart wrenching" experience.

He took part in the Total Warrior obstacle course to raise cash for The Sick Children's Trust.

To sponsor David, visit JustGiving.