A baby born with an extremely rare condition that causes part of the brain to grow outside the skull is thriving — despite doctors giving him little chance of survival.

Doctors had warned a young couple from Ohio that their new baby’s condition, known as encephalocele, could mean that if he survived, he might live without cognitive function.

There was so little hope for the baby surviving past birth that the parents were advised to consider ending the pregnancy.

But while Sierra and Dustin Yoder, from Sugarcreek, initially decided that this was the best option, on the day of the scheduled visit, they changed their minds and decided to go ahead with the birth.

Mrs Yoder told The Washington Post: ‘We were excited to meet him, even if it was only for an hour.

‘We were just relieved he made it that far and we would get to meet him, living and breathing.’

The young couple, both 25, grew up together in Sugarcreek and have known each other since their mothers introduced them aged two. By 21, they were married.

They were desperate for another child after their first son Beau and were excited to meet their new son, even if they believed they might not have him for very long.

On October 31 last year, Mrs Yoder gave birth to Bentley and while doctors didn’t expect him to live long, 36 hours later he was still going strong.

Nonetheless, doctors advised the parents to arrange for hospice care and he was hospitalized several times with a respiratory virus as well as infections in his lungs, and his chances didn’t seem hopeful.

Four months later, surgeons informed them that he appeared to be using his brain — which they initially believed to be beyond function — but they didn’t know if they could safely put it back inside his cranium.

The Yoders then had an appointment at Boston Children’s Hospital where doctors determined that Bentley held a significant portion of his brain outside his skull — but unlike most babies with this condition, he was actually using it.

Rather than removing the pouch of the brain, the surgical team used 3-D printed models to plan out and practice how they would instead expand his cranium to fit it.

They constructed a plan where they would make several vertical slices in his cranium, then insert special dissolving plates that would hold the area open, allowing Bentley’s brain to slip back into his skull.

The surgery took place on May 24 and five hours later, Bentley was in recovery.

Bandaged up and clad in a tiny hospital gown, Bentley looked up at his parents, grandparents and big brother Beau.

His mother was overwhelmed, telling The Post: ‘He was awake; he was looking at us.

‘He wasn’t cranky. He was just lying there, taking it all in.’

She says that a month on from surgery he is now able to hold up his head and is ‘eating, smiling and jabbering’.

Now seven months old, his future looks hopeful and doctors have told the parents that he will have a ‘rewarding life’ and plan to continue his progress one step at a time.

The proud parents have shared a series of photos on Facebook of their son after surgery, which have been met with a stream of congratulations.

Amba Haga said: ‘I’m so happy he’s doing well. Every time I read an update, I think about when you walked up to me in the hotel lobby and told me you and Sierra were expecting your 2nd child.

‘I could tell you already loved him. It’s because of you and Sierra loving him and your faith, that he has had this chance to live. Continuing to pray for you all!’

While Theresa Lower commented: ‘I’ve been praying and thinking of him so much today. He is so precious and such a blessing to everyone!!!’