A BATTLING Gwent tot is still battling against the odds after being given a 30 per cent chance of surviving when he was born 15 weeks prematurely, weighing just 1.7lb.

Corey Marx, born five months ago, has spent almost all of his short life in hospitals.

And a brief spell at home in Monmouth nearly ended in tragedy when he stopped breathing and mum Zoe Croudace, 34, resuscitated him. Ms Croudace and partner Dean Marx, 39, say they are now taking each day as it comes.

Corey was born on July 31, 15 weeks prematurely, after an infection brought on early labour in Ms Croudace.

She was rushed to Abergavenny’s Nevill Hall Hospital, where doctors gave the baby a 30 per cent chance of survival. He was suffering from chronic lung disease and bleeding on the brain.

He was transferred to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, was put on a ventilator, was given steroids, a blood transfusion and had a hernia operation.

He wasmoved fromthe high dependency unit to Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital and then back to Nevill Hall as he learnt to breathe unaided and increased his weight to nearly 10 lbs. He was allowed home to Geoffrey Drive in November – but, on December 8, Ms Croudace found Corey not breathing.

A common cold had developed into respiratory syncytial virus.

The couple had been taught resuscitation techniques at the hospital, and Ms Croudace kept Corey alive.

Ms Croudace said a rapid response vehicle arrived after three minutes, with a paramedic using an oxygen mask on Corey before an ambulance followed after 17 minutes to take him to hospital.

Ms Croudace, a care worker, said the couple were “numb” as 15 doctors worked on Corey for nearly five hours at Nevill Hall. He is now back at the University Hospital of Wales, on a ventilator, being fed through a drip.

Mr Marx, a gardener, said the couple visit every day.

They are hopeful Corey will be strong enough to breathe on his own by the end of January and can then be transferred to Nevill Hall.

But, Mr Marx said: “He’s not out of the woods yet. It has just been a nightmare few months, we think he’s progressing and it’s back to square one. His life has been in hospital and it doesn’t feel like he’s been home at all.”

Concern over 999 wait

MONMOUTH MP David Davies is meeting the Welsh Ambulance Service to discuss the couple’s concerns about the time it took for an ambulance to take Corey to hospital.

A spokesman for the service said: “A rapid response vehicle arrived within three minutes to provide emergency care for the patient until ambulance transport arrived within the agreed standard.”

He added the trust is willing to discuss concerns with the family.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Our best wishes

AS WE APPROACH the dawn of a new year we spare a thought for the family of little Corey Marx.

The five month old is fighting for his life after being born 15 weeks prematurely weighing just 1.7 lbs.

He had already spent much of his life in hospital when his parents hoped he was over the worst and he was allowed home to Monmouth.

But that nearly ended in tragedy when he stopped breathing after catching a simple cold.

His mum Zoe Croudace showed great strength of character in putting into practice the life-saving skills hospital staff had taught her, just in case of such an emergency.

She was able to resuscitate her tiny son and he is now back in hospital and still battling on.

We can only begin to understand the turmoil his family are experiencing. The past few months must have been an emotional roller coaster.

All we can do is send them and Corey our very best wishes for now and for the new year.