A BABY born four months premature, weighing just 1lb 6oz, has stunned doctors with his ‘astonishing’ progress.

Tiny Jordan James McCormack, one of the smallest babies born in East Lancashire, has battled through seven blood and platelet transfusions and a lung infection.

He was born 17 weeks early and weighed just 22 ounces at birth, less than an iPad.

Doctors told his parents to expect the worst in the hours after he was born on September 19, as his chances of survival were 'slim at best'.

Although Jordan remains in a critical condition, medical teams at the antenatal unit have now told parents Lorraine Flanagan, 36, and Adrian McCormack, 33, that Jordan is the 'strongest six-week-old of his size we’ve ever seen'.

Adrian said: “I really don’t know where he gets his inner strength from, but I know he’s got tons of it.

"He’s so resolute. It fills us with joy and pride every time we see him, knowing he won’t give up.

“As he’s in an incubator we’ve never held him in our arms but we dream of that day and hope it comes soon.”

The couple, who live on Manor Street, Accrington, suffered earlier heartbreak when Lorraine had two miscarriages in four years.

However, they were very hopeful for Jordan as no problems were detected at their 20-week scan.

Adrian, a mortgage advisor, said: “We found out it was a boy during the scan and were so excited, looking forward to him being born in January.

“But just a day later, Lorraine woke up in the night suffering pain.

“We went to Burnley Hospital straight away. We were told Lorraine had an infection and that her going into labour would be ‘the worst possible scenario’.

“But that’s exactly what happened and Jordan was born at 8.30am.

“He was taken away for treatment and we were told that when we saw him to get photographs with him as it was unlikely he would survive.

“Our emotions were so mixed. There was our first child, our beautiful little son in front of us but he was so tiny and vulnerable.”

Against the odds, Jordan survived and although his lungs are severely underdeveloped and he has a heart valve problem, he has shown remarkable progress.

The couple visit him three times a day, along with grandparents, Libby Martin, and John and Collete McCormack.

Jordan faces spending many more weeks in hospital, taking him past his due date of January 12, 2014.

With the support of friends, family and neighbours the couple have already raised more than £2,000 for Burnley’s antenatal unit.

They plan to hold a series of events in the run-up to Jordan’s original due date, including a special football match organised by Church Town FC, who Adrian manages.

He said: “We can’t express our gratitude enough to the medical teams at the unit in Burnley.

“The staff there do so many hours, are so dedicated and have treated our son with love and the best care imaginable.”

Claire Carroll, matron for neonatal services at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The centre admits approximately 600 babies per year. Jordan is one of the most premature babies we’ve seen.

“All babies are cared for by a team of doctors and nurses trained in the speciality of neonatology.

“Our aim is to also support the families through what can be a very challenging time.

“The staff are encouraged and supported by the determination of families on their journey and also by the thanks we are so grateful to receive.

“Families go to great lengths to support the unit and as in this case where fundraising events are held, we are so very thankful.

"The unit would like to express our sincere thanks Adrian, Lorraine and all their friends and family.”

Born at 23 weeks, Jordan arrived a week before it is still legally possible to have an abortion.

Dr Tom Smith, the Lancashire Telegraph’s health columnist, said: “I’ve never come across a case like this.

“A weight of 22 ounces is about as low as you can get. It’s an amazing story and a real triumph for him and his family.”

The match between Church Town FC and an Old Boys' team will take place at Colne FC’s xlcr Stadium, Holt House, Harrison Drive, on Sunday (November 10) at 1.30pm.

Admission is £2.50 for adults and £1 for children.

A charity social event will be held afterwards at the Peel Park Hotel, Turkey Street, Accrington, where Lorraine is one of the bar staff.

PREMATURE BABIES

Born at 23 weeks, Jordan James is one of Britain’s most premature babies. The world record for a surviving baby, of 21 weeks, is thought to be jointly held by German baby Freida Mangold, born in 2011, and James Elgin Gill, who was born in Canada in 1987.
About one baby in every 13 will be born prematurely, in other words before the 37th week of pregnancy. Very premature babies, born under 28 weeks, are not ready to survive in the world and the earlier they come, the worse the odds.
Even those who survive can remain in hospital for months. Every part of their body is immature, noticeable in their skin which appears see-through. The lungs are also not fully developed, and the gut is not prepared for food.
A study funded by the Medical Research Council in 2006 found 19per cent of babies born at 23 weeks survived. This dropped dramatically to two per cent for those born at 22 weeks, and rose to 40 per cent for those born at 24 weeks.