A YORK mum whose baby was born three months premature today told of her sadness for the agonised parents of little Charlotte Wyatt after they lost their High Court battle to keep her alive.

Caroline Hardy, 25, of Aysgarth House, Acomb, said she felt for Darren and Debbie Wyatt in their agony over their 11-month daughter - but in the end, she said, Charlotte's welfare must come first.

Caroline gave birth to her baby, Sophie-Teresa, after surviving the life-threatening condition pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, and her story featured in the Evening Press last week.

Sophie Theresa weighed just 1lb 15oz when she was born by emergency caesarean section at York Hospital on September 2, and it was two days before Caroline saw her tiny baby.

Charlotte Wyatt weighed just one pound when she was born and has serious heart and lung problems.

Her parents say everything possible should be done to keep her alive, but doctors at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust argued that she is in almost constant pain and unlikely ever to enjoy a tolerable life.

Caroline told the Evening Press: "Because Sophie was so very little this case has been very close to my heart.

"I think it's not about what's best for the doctors or best for the parents; it's what's best for the little girl.

"I know if Sophie was in that situation I wouldn't have wanted her switched off. But, at the end of the day, it's what's best for her and if she was so ill I would have had to let her go.

"You could have another baby. It wouldn't replace the lost child, but the child has the right to its own life and you have got to think of what quality of life it would have in the long run."

Caroline was seriously ill after she gave birth by emergency caesarean section, and it was two days before she saw her tiny daughter who was on oxygen in an incubator in the special care bay unit.

Sophie-Teresa now weighs 3lb 4oz and is expected home from hospital in the next two or three weeks.

Updated: 10:10 Friday, October 08, 2004