The one-year-old boy's father had disagreed earlier with the child's mother and doctors, who said that he should be allowed to die because he could not survive independently. They had sought legal permission to let him die by administering a large dose of sedative and removing the ventilation tube through which he breathes.

The father had wanted his son to have a tracheotomy _ an operation involving cutting an opening in the baby's throat to help him breathe. He had said the operation would help the baby _ referred to only as RB because a court order prevents news organizations from identifying the family _ to live at home. Doctors have said the operation would not help the baby.

High Court judge Andrew MacFarlane said the father had now changed his position.

"This morning the father has changed his opinion on what he sees as being in his son's best interests," McFarlane said as he concluded the hearing.

He added: "I agree with the outcome and consider that the conclusion to which they and the clinicians have come is the only tenable outcome for RB, the viability of whose life, from its first moment, has depended upon receiving intensive and invasive care from others."

A joint statement issued by lawyers representing both the baby's parents and the hospital authorities involved said that following the judge's approval, the parents will now make arrangements to bring the baby's life to a dignified end.

The baby suffers from congenital myasthenic syndrome, a rare inherited muscular disorder. MacFarlane said Tuesday the baby has not shown positive response to drug treatment and that the prospect of effective treatment is unlikely.