New Delhi: The British parents of a terminally ill baby have asked the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) to allow them to travel to the US for an experimental treatment, saying that 'there's nothing to lose'.


COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Charlie Gard's parents Chris Gard and Connie Yates raised more than $1.6 million to take their son to the US for an experimental treatment.


But UK courts denied their plan and ordered the hospital to take Charlie off life support as doctors said prolonging his life would only cause him greater pain and suffering.


His defiant parents had earlier vowed to fight for their baby in the hope of taking him to the US for the treatment.


Now, the hospital, where he's being treated, has referred the case back to the court after receiving “evidence relating to potential treatment for his condition.” The court will hear fresh evidence in the case on Monday afternoon.


What is mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome?


Born on August 4, 2016, 11 months old Charlie Gard suffers from the rare genetic condition - mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome - that damages the body’s organs as it blocks energy from getting to organs. He has brain damage and is unable to breathe on his own.


A professor who specialises in mitochondrial diseases said: “For Charlie, his brain, muscle and ability to breathe are all severely affected,” adding that he has congenital deafness and a severe epilepsy disorder.


According to the hospital, those affected can experience muscle weakness, heart disease, seizures, breathing problems and developmental delay, although symptoms can vary among people who have mitochondrial diseases.


Is there a cure for the disease?


Currently, there is no cure yet, although some treatments have shown to reduce the symptoms.


The National Institute of Health’s online library identified respiratory failure as the most common death among those affected with the disease.


Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump and the Vatican have supported Charlie's parents' campaign for him to be treated abroad.


However, Professor Neena Modi, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, described interventions from high-profile figures as 'unhelpful'.