The parents of a severely disabled British baby are fighting each other in court over whether their child should live or die, observers say.

The 1-year-old's mother wants to withdraw the boy -- identified only as Baby RB -- from life support, saying he faces a "miserable, sad and pitiable existence." She has the support of the boy's doctors, The Times of London reported Tuesday.

The baby's father, who is separated from the mother, is fighting them in court. A National Health Service doctor reportedly has testified that Baby RB cannot breathe unaided and has been on a ventilator since birth, and is facing a life of acute pain after being born with congenital myasthenic syndrome.

The Times said he told London's High Court he was unaware of any treatments on the horizon that might ease Baby RB's condition.

However, the father's attorneys say Baby RB does not have brain damage and insists he can recognize his parents and play with toys, the newspaper said. The father maintains a tracheostomy would allow the boy to be cared for at home. Baby RB is to be examined by a doctor to see if that is feasible, attorneys said.