Transplant baby stuns the experts

George Young who underwent a pioneering transplant is recovering

A Tyneside baby who underwent a pioneering transplant is winning his battle for life despite being given only three months to live.

It is almost a year since George Young received blood from an American baby to help 'grow' his failing immune system.

He was given survival odds of 50/50. But now 19-month-old George of Cruddas Park, Newcastle, is out of hospital.

He is looking forward to Christmas at home with parents Emma Young and George Oldham and brother Reece, eight.

George suffers from Ipex Syndrome which affects the immune system. His best chance was a transplant from his brother, but he was not a match.

So doctors at Newcastle General Hospital did the next best thing and used blood taken from the placenta of a newborn American girl which was flown in from New York.

'First class'

The cord blood transplant was one of the first of its kind to be performed in the UK.

Up until he was released from hospital last month, the youngster had spent all but five days of his life in hospital.

Mother Emma, 27, said: "George's bone marrow has grown and although we are delighted to have him home, we still take each day as it comes.

"He is still on oxygen and we do not know what the future holds, but he is a fighter and despite setbacks and infections he is home with us."

The youngster's father, George, 27, a forklift driver, said: "We would like to thank all the doctors and nurses - their care has been first class."