Drew Cook is only eight months old but has been through more operations and trauma than others will experience in a lifetime.

He was born 14 weeks premature, weighing 2lb, and had to be immediately whisked to a specialist baby care unit.

Since his birth at Worthing Hospital on October 15, he has been moved to different hospitals in Kent, Brighton and London as doctors battled to save his life.

Drew had major abdominal surgery to repair a bowel perforation when he was just eight days old and was given less than a 40 per cent chance of survival.

He has had three brain surgeries, developed meningitis, suffered punctured and collapsed lungs and had several fractures due to metabolic bone disease.

He also has hydrocephalus (an abnormal build-up of fluid in the skull) due to severe bleeding in the brain after birth.

This is now controlled with a special shunt which drains fluid from the brain. As he gets older, the shunt will have to be replaced.

Drew's parents Andy Cook and Sylvia Jorgensen, of Bristol Avenue, Lancing, know the future may be difficult for Drew but are determined he will have as happy a life as they can give him.

Drew shows no major signs of any brain damage or problems at the moment and is a happy and lively baby.

Developmentally he is about five months but this is mainly because he was born so early.

Doctors have warned that because of the severity of his brain damage and the operations he has had, Drew is likely to be moderately to seriously disabled.

Ms Jorgensen, 25, said: "The terms used by the doctors are cerebral palsy and learning difficulties but so far he is amazing us all by how well he is developing."

Mr Cook, 32, said: "He is doing tremendously. We know there are going to be problems but the doctors tell us the longer he can continue to develop well, the less severe his disability is likely to be.

"Whatever happens, he is our baby and we will be doing everything we can for him."

Drew is monitored 24 hours a day. Every day his parents measure his head to ensure it is not swelling from the hydrocephalus, take his temperature and make sure he is taking his food.

There is always the risk he may have a seizure so he needs to be checked closely.

The couple decided to tell their story to help other parents who may have gone through similar problems.

Ms Jorgensen said: "It is such a difficult time. There are parents at these hospitals all going through such stress and strain and worry.

"We just want to let people know they are not alone and there is light at the end of the tunnel. We went down to the very depths with Drew but we have managed to get through.

"The staff at the hospitals were excellent and saved his life so many times."

Mr Cook said: "At times we thought he was never going to make it but he has defied the odds."