THE parents of a baby who was mis-diagnosed with a serious brain condition are coming to terms with the fact that the error could have cost him his life.

The Waltham Forest Guardian revealed last month how Leeann Phelan and Stephen Crane, of Kings Head Hill in Chingford, had been advised by consultants at Kings College London to abort baby Jayden because they thought he had the most serious form of Dandy Walker syndrome, a congenital brain malformation.

But a recent brain scan at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital revealed the diagnosis was in fact WRONG, and their son Jayden is a perfectly healthy six-month-old.

Mr Crane, 32, said: "Kings College made a big mistake. Great Ormond Street gave us the results the Thursday the article came out in the Guardian and they said no-one seemed to understand how King's College made such a mistake, saying Leeann should have an abortion.

"If we had got rid of him we would have never known.

"We are over the moon in one respect and happy that it was all clear. But we were preparing for the worst during the pregnancy. My outlook was to think the worst and anything else was a bonus. The way it was going, I was planning a funeral."

There are seven different levels of Dandy Walker's Syndrome, and the couple were told following a routine 20-week pregnancy scan that their baby had the most severe and debilitating form, number one, and would have no quality of life - or could be stillborn.

Since the Guardian broke the story, the couple have appeared on television programmes London Tonight and This Morning, and have received many emails from parents who have had a similar experience, and some who have aborted their babies following advice from a consultant.

Mr Crane added: "We didn't realise how much impact the article would have. For us it was just a case of doing what's best for our son. But reading the feedback from people it made us realise what we were asked to do. It is down to personal choice, but we decided we didn't agree with it. We are lucky that we made the right choice."

The couple are meeting with their solicitor to make a formal complaint and to consider taking legal action against the Trust. Meanwhile, Kings College Hospital will be reviewing the incorrect diagnosis.

Mr Crane added: "For the top consultant to say he will have the most extreme one, we cannot understand how a mistake can be made at that level. We need some answers from Kings College as to what happened."

A spokesman for King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: "We are very happy to hear that both Leeann Phelan and her son, Jayden Crane, are in good health.

"We strive at all times to provide our patients with the best possible care. Although Ms Phelan has not yet made a formal complaint, we will be carrying out a full review of her case and will be happy to make sure that any remaining concerns she has are addressed.

"It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this stage."