Bathed in a ultraviolet light, this tiny baby is being kept alive by the expertise of Britain’s world-class medics.
Born prematurely, its small body not yet developed enough to keep it alive, the infant is suffering from severe jaundice.
With a special machine providing oxygen to the baby’s lungs, and tubes feeding fluid and drugs into its veins, a powerful UV lamp is used to break down the harmful toxins building in the skin – doing the job the baby’s undeveloped liver has failed to achieve.
The picture, taken in the Starlight Neonatal Unit for premature babies at Barnet Hospital in north London, is shortlisted for this year’s Wellcome Image Award for medical and scientific photography.