Fears grow that Michael Schumacher may remain in coma forever

Fears that legendary Formula One racer Michael Schumacher may remain in a state of coma for the rest of his life, has increased. Several factors including the silence from his team management and family on his condition has contributed to the speculation.

On Wednesday, a report in UK's Daily Mail said that Schumacher - who has been in a state of induced coma for 19 days after a ski accident - may not recover. It was attributed to the fact that no medical bulletin had been issued in the last few days. The report further said that German media agencies had spoken to brain injury experts and the opinion received was grim. "There may have been complications", a neurosurgeon - Andreas Zieger - was quoted as telling Focus Magazine. "A coma can in theory be maintained for a lifetime. It won't hurt the human brain." (Also read: Michael Schumacher was not skiing at high speed)

While medical experts are believed to have said that patients in induced coma are usually brought out in a week or two, Schumacher's condition remains serious. According to German media, the risk of brain haemorrhage remains high as well.

Schumacher, 45, fell while skiing at a ski resort in the French Alps on December 29. While he was wearing a ski helmet, he hit his head on a rock - his helmet splitting into two. The former racer has been in hospital since as family and fans camp inside and outside the medical facility in the French city of Grenoble, respectively. (Related: Fans hold silent vigil)