A baby weighing 1lb 12oz is believed to be the world’s youngest, and smallest, child to survive dialysis treatment after being born 15 weeks prematurely.

Kamil Wawruch, from Poland, nearly died from organ failure a few days after birth when conventional methods used to keep pre-term babies alive proved ineffective.

He suffered water retention leading to swelling because his kidneys were unable to cope, said Wojciech Kowalik, head of the intensive care department for newborn children at Legnica provincial hospital in southwest Poland.

The procedure was described as extremely difficult and hugely risky, and involved placing a catheter into the

...