A BABY born with a rare skull development condition who wasn’t expected to survive past birth has celebrated his first birthday.

Doctors believed Owen Masterson “would not be compatible with life” and told his parents to prepare for the worst.

Little Owen was born with acalvaria – a rare condition that causes a lack of certain face and skull bones.

Owen was born without the upper part of his skull developing normally.

His parents Tom and Jessica were told there was little chance Owen would survive the pregnancy, let alone the challenges of birth.

But they were thrilled to celebrate his first birthday at home in Missouri in the US.

“Our pastor had come to the hospital before he was born and was able to pray with us,” dad Tom Masterson told the Springfield News Leader.

“We felt confident that God was going to do something, that Owen had a very specific purpose.

“We didn’t know what that was. But we felt there was a very specific purpose for him.”

Jessica and Tom are sharing their story to raise awareness about Owen’s condition.

“It’s definitely challenging, but I wouldn’t change him,” Jessica said.

“I love him the way he is.”

Owen’s condition was noticed during a 24 week scan, when doctors became unsure if his brain was adequately protected.

They’d been referred to a specialist because the sonographer at the 20 week scan hadn’t been able to clearly see Owen’s head.

Jessica and Tom were told that Owen had “very abnormal brain development”, but they couldn’t diagnose his condition.

Referred to another specialist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University in St. Louis, they were told Owen had acalvaria when they were 27 weeks pregnant.

They were told that ending the pregnancy was something they could consider, but that was out of the question for Tom and Jessica.

Having been told the baby would not likely survive the pregnancy, Jessica said she dreaded her due date.

“I felt like while he is in the womb, he is safe,” she said.

“I can’t do anything when he is being born or after he is born. … I was like, ‘He can just stay’.”

A specialist care team was set up for Owen’s birth and care.

They were concerned his developing brain would face too much stress during the birth for him to survive.

On September 17 last year Jessica went into labour and Owen was born two hours later.

The couple were over the moon to hear him crying for the first time.

But immediately they feared each moment with him could be their last as his condition is so delicate.

A day and a half later they were allowed to bring Owen home, with medics stunned at his survival.

Other than an ear infection and a stomach virus, Owen’s health has been fine in his first year.

He’s not able to crawl or roll over like other babies his age, but he is being fitted with specialist equipment to help him move around.

Doctors still don’t know how long Owen has, but for now he is doing well.