The panel is due to make its decision about Dr Munro

However, Dr Michael Munro, was criticised by the General Medical Council for misleading investigators.

Dr Munro, 41, administered the drug at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. The GMC said he intended to relieve suffering rather than hasten their deaths.

It decides on Wednesday if his actions have impaired his fitness to practice.

In December 2005, the consultant neonatologist gave 23-times the normal dose of a paralysing muscle relaxant to a premature baby boy in the final moments before he died.

The baby's parents were fully aware of what he was doing, and had given their permission knowing that it would relieve the baby's suffering - but could also hasten its death.

During a subsequent inquiry Dr Munro denied he had previously used the drug in similar circumstances, but it later emerged he had given it to another terminally ill baby six months earlier - during its final moments.

The GMC panel, which was sitting in Manchester, concluded this was misleading but was not dishonest.

The panel has also rejected claims that his actions were inappropriate and fell below standard, as there were no clear specific professional guidelines.

They rejected claims that in administering the paralysing agent to the children Dr Munro had fallen below the standard expected of a registered medical practitioner.

Both children suffered violent body spasms in the final moments of their lives - a condition known as agonal gasping.

The doctor admitted administering Pancuronium to the children to ease their distress. A consequence of the drug was that it hastened their deaths.

Violent spasms

Baby X was admitted to Aberdeen Maternity Hospital in December 2005 and Baby Y six months earlier in June.

Both babies were premature and both had suffered complications during pregnancy, leaving them with terminal medical conditions.

Baby X was born on 5 December 2005 - more than three months premature and suffered a severe brain haemorrhage.

His condition worsened and following consultation with the child's parents the doctor made the decision to withdraw treatment.

Shortly after 1130 GMT the baby's breathing tube was removed and doctors began a course of morphine to ease the child's suffering.

The GMC panel will decide if Dr Munro can continue practising

After the baby suffered violent spasms, Dr Munro administered the drug.

During a hospital inquiry, Dr Munro was asked if he had ever used the drug in similar circumstances.

The doctor said he had not but on further investigation the case of Baby Y was discovered.

That child was born two weeks premature on 20 June 2005 suffering from pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypotension.

Again, following consultation with the family, the decision was made to withdraw care but as the child slipped away it began agonal gasping.

Pancuronium was administered and the child died some moments later.

Outlining the findings of fact against Dr Munro, panel chairman Dr J Mitton said: "There was a lack of clear specific professional guidelines and it is undisputed that your intention was to relieve suffering rather than to hasten death."

However, the panel criticised Dr Munro for his inconsistent record taking.

Dr Munro denies his fitness to practice is impaired by reason of misconduct.

The hearing was adjourned until Wednesday.