A toddler is fighting for his life in hospital after he was stung on the head by a scorpion while he slept at his home in Brazil.

Little Thomas Caitano Ribeiro was stung by the arachnid while he dozed in his bedroom in Arniqueira, Federal District, in the early hours of 1st January.

His distraught mother, Adriana Caitano, told local media: “He started screaming a lot in pain during the night.

“We went to the bedroom and he was crying a lot, scratching himself, and putting his hand on his head.

“My husband thought some animal had stung him and then we found a large scorpion under the pillow.

“We realised the situation was serious.”

The family rushed the vomiting child to hospital in nearby Taguatinga, where he was given emergency first aid.

He was then transferred to another hospital in Aguas Claras.

Surgeons fitted him with an artificial lung in an operation on 2nd January after his heart stopped pumping properly, affecting his kidneys and liver.

Adriana told local media: “The procedure went well, no complications.

“Afterwards, his arrhythmia stopped and his heartbeat stabilised.

“Another good piece of news is that his lungs, which were full of fluid, are now clean.

“Concern about his kidneys, which might require haemodialysis, has decreased for the time being because he has started to urinate again.

“The team assisting him is very competent and is doing everything for him to be well.

“Faith is renewed every minute with everyone’s prayers, which are making all the difference.”

The family captured the scorpion that stung Thomas and took it to the hospital in a glass to show medics.

It was later collected, along with others found in the family home, by health surveillance workers.

The family lives in an area with lots of greenery and building works, which, according to experts, are conditions ripe for scorpions.

At the time of reporting, Thomas remained in an induced coma, with his life still in danger.