Oxygen starved baby first to be given xenon gas treatment

Riley Joyce received the life-transforming treatment when suffering from lack of oxygen.

The baby boy was delivered at the Royal United Hospital in Bath in a critical condition, with no pulse and needed to be resuscitated. He was transferred to Bristol after his brain waves gave abnormal readings.

On arrival his parents were told there was still a "50:50" chance of permanent injury and disability.

They were asked if they would agree to Riley being the first baby ever to inhale inert xenon gas as an experimental treatment that might improve his chances of full recovery.

After Professor Marianne Thoresen and her colleague Dr James Tooley had stabilised Riley's body temperature, his breathing machine was connected to the xenon delivery system for three hours at St Michael's Hospital, Bristol.

He was kept cool for 72 hours, then slowly rewarmed and was able to breathe without the machine on day five.

Prof Thoresen said: "After seven days, Riley was alert, able to look at his mother's face, hold up his head and begin to take milk."

Riley's parents, Dave and Sarah Joyce, said: "We are delighted that Riley is doing so well and we are extremely grateful that we were given this opportunity.

"Marianne was so passionate about the treatment and we truly believe that she had and still has the best interests of Riley in mind."