The night 21-year-old Travis van Niekerk's baby was born, he was admitted to the intensive care unit of a Kempton Park hospital following a suspected drink-spiking.

Travis has been at Arwyp Hospital's ICU and on ventilation as a result of frequent fits believed to be caused by barbiturates - a type of sedative - found in his system.

He became ill a few minutes after returning from Presley's nightclub in Boksburg. His mother, René, says he had gone out "in anticipation of the birth of his son".

Blood tests for recreational drugs - including ecstasy, dagga, heroin, cocaine, tik and CAT - came back negative.

Travis's parents fought back tears yesterday as they spoke about their son and the dangers of drink-spiking.

"If we can save one child from this near-death experience . We want to stop anyone getting hurt," said his father, Corrie, who described the past few days as "hell".

René said her son and his friend, Jaco van Wyk, went to the nightclub at about 10pm on Saturday and left just before midnight.

Before leaving, Travis had already called his mother to say he and his "buddy weren't feeling well".

Soon after arriving at his girlfriend's house in Kempton Park, Travis and Van Wyk started convulsing and paramedics rushed Travis to hospital.

Van Wyk was not admitted to hospital and is said to be fine.

"I drank two beers, a shooter and a few sips from a glass of Travis's drink and I remember nothing else. I only remember being sick the morning after. I was vomiting, and felt like I was dying."

Van Wyk said he and his friend left a drink unattended on a table. When they returned, they saw it had moved but thought nothing of it at the time.

"I wish I was lying there [in hospital], not him. I drank more than he did," he said.

Travis has not seen his son, who weighed a "healthy 2.8kg" at birth on Sunday morning.

Travis's father says the barbiturate is used by vets to put animals down.

Presley's nightclub owner, Chris da Silva, said through his attorney, Andre du Plessis, yesterday: "The club has a zero-tolerance policy towards any illegal substances."

He said a patron was arrested in connection with the illegal possession of substances.

Doctors were due to take Travis off the ventilation machine last night after conducting an MRI and lumber puncture.

"We trust in the Lord that he will have no more fits," Corrie said.

He has opened a case of attempted murder at the Boksburg North police station.

Da Silva says he will cooperate with police.