Cerys, 10 months with her sister Megan-Leigh, 8, and brother Evan, 7 A baby girl is being kept alive by Viagra after bravely battling through three open heart operations. Cerys Small was born with a severe heart defect, no spleen and problems with her stomach and bowel.
The youngster, who has battled for survival for 10 months, is now stable thanks in part to the impotence drug.
The drug, more widely known for treating sexual dysfunction, improves Cerys' circulation. It has helped her combat daily cyanotic spells, which have previously turned her blue as her body struggled to circulate blood.
It is hoped the treatment will keep Cerys going until she is older and strong enough to have further operations.
Her mother Kerrie, from Newport in South Wales, said: 'We were giggling when they told us what drug she would need - but what many people don't realise is that it was originally developed as a heart drug.
'It is keeping Cerys alive, the drug works by increasing the blood flow which means it helps her circulation and stops her turning blue.
'As long as the Viagra keeps working, the next operation should be between three and five years old. But only her body will dictate that.
'But she's already proved what a fighter she is by coming through so many operations already and she's still doing well.'
In the meantime, Cerys' grateful family, including father Gareth, 31, and siblings Evan and Megan, have raised £1,750 to buy more heart testing equipment for the Bristol hospital that saved her life.
The first signs of the Cerys's complex set of heart problems surfaced during Kerrie's 20-week pregnancy scan when a hole in the heart was detected.
Mrs Small, 30, said: 'At first they predicted one operation and a 98 per cent survival rate.
'But a couple of weeks later it was three operations before she was five, and a 50 per cent chance of survival.
'The news got worse and we were asked to consider a termination, but we were determined to go ahead.'
At first Cerys coped well with her heart problems but after several weeks the cyanotic spells increased, and surgery was arranged.
She had a six-hour operation in Bristol on April 20, afterward spending six weeks in hospital there and in Cardiff.
Kerrie said: 'The operation wasn't a complete success and she needs more surgery, but she's a real fighter.
'We've spent so much time in the hospital in Bristol and it is fantastic, the expertise, support from staff, and the facilities.
'We want to raise some money to say thank you for all they've done for us and for others.'