When Karan Dhillon was born he weighed less than a bag of sugar and his parents were warned he had just a one per cent chance of survival.

But the little miracle defied the odds and today celebrated his first birthday  despite enduring a string of medical complications.

His mum Jasvir Dhillon, aged 36, of Veronia Avenue, Parkfields, Wolverhampton, was “terrified” when she began experiencing sharp stomach pains just over half way through her pregnancy.

She was admitted to hospital, but complications put her in danger of being left with blood poisioning.

“I was told it was either me or him. They said they needed to operate immediately and he probably wouldn’t make it,” she said.

As Jasvir was rushed for a Caesarean section at just 25 weeks pregnant she was warned her baby would only have a one per cent chance of survival. “They told me that if he wasn’t breathing when he came out they wouldn’t try to revive him because his chances were so slim,” she added.

Dad Ranjit, aged 38, a carpenter, rushed to be by his wife’s side at New Cross Hospital as their tiny 1lb 8oz son was brought into the world. Against all odds he was breathing and was placed on a ventilator. But that was only the beginning of his battle.

Karan had a hole in his heart and fought off a string of serious infections, including swine flu. His heart stopped on numerous occasions and each time the family was told he may not survive.

To celebrate his milestone the family was today visiting Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, in Blakenhall.