A high court judge has described a couple’s fight to keep their seven-month-old son alive as “the most tragic situation”.

Mr Justice Francis has been asked to make a decision about whether doctors should withdraw life support from Charlie Gard, who has a rare genetic condition with no known cure.

Specialists at Great Ormond Street hospital in London believe life support should be withdrawn but his parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, want to take Charlie to a hospital in the US where a treatment is being trialled.

Mr Justice Francis was speaking as he started to analyse the boy’s case at a preliminary hearing in the family division of the high court in London. The case is to be fully analysed in early April.

“It is the most tragic situation,” he told the couple. “I just start by saying how deeply sympathetic I am.”

He said the family was in a “dreadful situation”.

Charlie was born on 4 August last year, weighing 8lb 3oz. Instead of developing normally he became weaker and at eight weeks he was admitted to hospital, according to the Daily Mail.

Charlie has a form of mitochondrial disease, a debilitating condition that saps energy from the body’s organs and muscles. It affects the body’s cells and can cause heart, liver, kidney, breathing, vision and hearing problems.

Yates, a carer for young adults with learning difficulties, and Gard, 32, a postal worker, have remained at their son’s side since he was admitted to hospital.

Charlie is in a stable condition and not believed to be in any pain, his parents told the newspaper, with the disease manifesting itself as weakness in his muscles.

Barrister Sophia Roper, who represents Charlie’s parents, told the judge: “His parents believe that he is in much better shape than the hospital does.”

The couple are trying to raise money to take their son abroad – a huge cost, as he would need a private plane with paediatric intensive care facilities and staff.

Barrister Katie Gollop QC, who represented Great Ormond Street hospital bosses, told him: “The hospital’s position is that every day that passes is a day that is not in the child’s best interests.”