PARENTS Robert and Kay Parsons fear their first child has suffered massive brain damage because his mother was wrongly sent home from hospital hours before he was born.

Liam Parsons was delivered by emergency Caesarian section at the Royal Gwent, Newport, after Mrs Parsons haemorrhaged at home following a day in worsening pain.

The Gwent Healthcare Trust is investigating claims that Liam was starved of oxygen immediately before birth. Doctors have told the couple he is severely brain damaged. Mrs Parsons, (pictured) aged 26, needed emergency surgery involving a blood transfusion. She spent several hours on life-support and in intensive care while her son was taken to the hospital's special care baby unit.

Mrs Parsons was sent to the hospital by her doctor after complaining of pains. Following a check, she was sent home.

The family, of Ringland Centre, Newport, and Liam's grandmother, Christine Morgan, also of Ringland, are traumatised and angry.

They believe that if Mrs Parsons had been admitted on her earlier visit, instead of being sent home, a tragedy would have been avoided. They are seeking legal advice.

A trust spokesman said: "Staff at the trust are deeply saddened by this tragic outcome and the continuing illness of both mother and child. We will continue to offer as much help and support as possible to the family both now and in the future," he said. "A clinical review of events at the Royal Gwent has already been started, in line with trust policies.

"That is in its initial stages and will be completed as quickly as possible. It would be premature to discuss details until the review of the circumstances has been completed.

"A complaint has been made by the family and is being acted upon within the trust's formal procedures. These include ensuring that those in-volved are kept informed of the review."