International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A medical technique that flushes out the brain to remove the toxic products of a deadly haemorrhage could be used to save the lives of premature babies.

This method was used to save Isaac Walker-Cox's life, who was born 12 weeks premature and given hours to live following a burst blood vessel in his brain, the Times reported.

The build up of toxic fluids resulted in a condition called hydrocephalus, which can prove to be fatal.

To prevent the fluids deforming his skull and poisoning his brain, two Bristol-based doctors used a brain washing technique to pump them away.

Ian Pople, paediatric neurosurgeon at North Bristol NHS trust, and Andrew Whitelaw, professor of neonatal medicine at the University of Bristol, devised the technique and believe it could have wider applications.

"Premature babies are particularly at risk of bleeding because in the middle of pregnancy, the foetus has many fragile blood vessels in the centre of the brain," Mr Whitelaw told the paper.

A study of 77 babies carried out by Bristol University, UK, found the technique could reduce the risk of bleeding in the brain of premature babies. It is believed the method could save the lives of about 100 babies a year.