Ms Mcmillan said: "What I want is for other women to hear my story and know that they should listen to their gut. Born at just 21 weeks and weighing less than a pound, doctors at Children's Minnesota in Minneapolis gave Richard a 0% chance of survival. His record was broken in 2014. Guinness says he was born at 21 weeks 5 days, or 128 days premature, on May 20 . The normal human gestation period is 280 days (40 weeks). At 24 weeks a foetus is considered viable, meaning doctors will intervene as their organs are mature enough to give them a chance of surviving. In fact, after he was first transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Childrens Minnesota hospital in Minneapolis, doctors felt duty bound to prepare his parents for the worst. Curtis Means and his twin CAsya had a less than 1 percent chance to survive after they were born to Michelle Chelly Butler at UAB Hospital in Birmingham on July 5, 2020. She delivered Curtis, who weighed 14.8 ounces at birth, and his twin CAsya Means, 132 days premature (close to 19 weeks early). 2012;379(9832):2162-72. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60820-4, Kinney MV, Lawn JE, Howson CP, Belizan J. According to the Guinness World Records, the previous record holder was Richard Hutchinson, from Wisconsin, who was born 131 days premature on June 5, 2020. The youngest baby to survive was born at 21 weeks and the record of the world's most premature baby belongs to James Elgin Gill; a Canadian boy born at just 21 weeks 5 days. Ms Mcmillan said: "What I want is for other women to hear my story and know that they should listen to their gut. They shouldn't take no for an answer. Since then doctors around the world have delivered a number of premature babies born between 21 to 37 weeks gestation period. Incredibly, though, the smallest surviving premature babies weigh only about half of that, around 7.5 ounces. The UK operates a little differently to the US when it comes to the legal rights of unborn babies. He survived and continued to thrive, becoming a highly educated professional at the age of 30. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. "James Elgin Gill was born to Brenda and James Gill on May 20, 1987, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She was born at 24 weeks in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Dan) On this day. At that point, it was all about getting through those extremely challenging first minutes, hours and days. Chicago Tribune. At a mere 11.9 ounces, the baby was reportedly so small that he could fit in the palm of a hand. Assistant professor within UAB's Division of Neonatology Dr Colm Travers is co-director of the hospitals Golden Week Program for extremely preterm infants. As you might expect, the first couple of months were the most challenging. But we're happy. The earliest a foetus can survive out of the womb is 22 weeks gestation (when there is a 0-10 per cent chance of survival). He has three siblings, the eldest of which love to help out with day-to-day care such as bathtime, getting dressed and feeding. When she isn't writing, she can be found at the beach or exploring Florida's theme parks with her family. Biemer J. Tiniest baby thrives on her 1st birthday. James was born at 21 weeks and 5 days old - meaning he was 128 days early. Also in the running is a German. Beth's advice to other parents of premature babies is to not give up. Born too soon: Care for the preterm baby. Because Amillia was conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF), her gestational age can actually be pinpointed exactly. He was also the first person to have a suspicion that Curtis 21-week 1-day gestational age could have set a world record, and he played a crucial role in helping Chelly with the record application process. WHAT MAKES A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS TITLE? Chiu A. Now at 16 months old, Curtis is happy and healthy. She's a miracle:' Born weighing about as much as 'a large apple,'Saybie is the world's smallest surviving baby, Years later, tiniest U.S. babies mature into typical kids, Long-term follow-up of 2 newborns with a combined birth weight of 540 grams, Melinda Star Guido: California's tiniest 'Miracle Baby' goes home, Tiny Melinda, one of world's smallest newborns, beating odds, might go home soon, California's tiniest baby goes home from hospital, Premature baby 'Tom Thumb' born at 25 weeks weighing half a pound survives, Incredibly, worlds tiniest preterm babies are doing just fine, Tiniest babies' stories called exceptions to the rule, One of world's smallest surviving infants goes home, Kenna Moore, baby born smaller than a soda can, goes home from hospital. When Beth and Rick Hutchinson (both USA) welcomed their son into the world on 5 June 2020 several months ahead of schedule he was so small that he could fit into the palm of one of their hands. To put her tiny size in perspective, she weighed about as much as a large apple. Also delivered at 21 weeks 1 day, his sister CAsya Means was less developed and did not respond to the treatment in the way her brother did. Guinness says he was born at 21 weeks 5 days, or 128 days premature, on May 20, 1987. Dr. Colm Travers, co-director of the hospitals Golden Week Program for extremely preterm infants, was the first person to suspect that Curtis gestational age could set a world record. In certain US states, you can't call a baby a baby until 20 weeks gestation. According to experts, many babies born so prematurely have slim chances of survival. More recently, reports indicate that this was matched by Frieda Mangold, who was born to Yvonne and John Mangold (all Germany) in Fulda, Germany, on 7 November 2010 at the same age. "Although I am not well educated and I am from poor background I found my voice to stick up for myself and my unborn baby. "My consultant told me she was unable to perform a suture stitch, and I was given pessaries to try to halt the cervix opening. Curtis, or "Poodie" as his family also call him, celebrated his first birthday on 5 July 2021. For specialist treatment, Ms Mcmillan was moved to Aberdeen Maternity Hospital where she went on to deliver a small but healthy 2lbs 2oz baby boy on June 10. Now at 16 months old, Curtis is happy and healthy. Hutchinson's birthday was June 5 and his parents are Rick and Beth Hutchinson of St. Croix County, Wis. "We're still surprised about it," Beth said. They can happen after that but only in exceptional circumstances - e.g if the mother's life is at risk or the child would be born with a severe disability. In certain US states, you can't call a baby a baby until 20 weeks gestation. I remember picking him up out of his crib and just holding him with tears in my eyes. I was told that because my cervix was opening my baby was not viable. Guinness World Records Kids (opens in a new window), GWR Merchandise Store (opens in a new window), Corporate Social Responsibility activities & fundraising ideas, Community engagement & tourism marketing activities. 10. Of those that are born before 28 weeks, many do not survive. He set a record when he was born for the world's most premature baby. More often than not, this is the cutoff used when trying to save the life of a preterm infant. The couple said. The little baby celebrated his first birthday on June 5. Hall A. They face high odds of having some level of disability or developmental impairment, such as cerebral palsy, visual impairment, hearing impairment, or cognitive delays. She used supplemental oxygen at home to treat bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and had to have surgery to repair a patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) and laser eye surgery for ROP. We were in uncharted territory Dr Brian Sims, professor of Pediatrics at UAB Hospital. What Does It Mean to Have a Frank Breech Baby? This incredible story of joy and beating the odds is tempered with heartache because Curtis was one of twins. By Cheryl Bird, RN, BSN This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He spent 275 days in the hospital, where he was removed from a ventilator after three months and discharged in April. She shares the world record with James Elgin Gill who was also born 128 days early in Ottawa, Canada in 1987. Marra A. Melinda Star Guido: California's tiniest 'Miracle Baby' goes home. The Guinness World Record began taking a record of premature babies in 1987 when James Elgin Gill was born in Canada at 128 days premature or at 21 weeks and five days of gestational age. However, depending on the circumstances, some babies born before 24 weeks also may survive, although the chances are even lower. Read more life stories: Their strength and ability to stay positive and hopeful even during the most stressful and difficult times was inspiring - Dr Stacy Kern, Childrens Minnesota neonatologist. She said: "I was hysterical, this was my third baby and I felt so unsupported. The premature baby was treated in the neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children's Minnesota hospital in Minneapolis . The details of their births and survival give lessons on the risks and care needed for these babies. But Linzi Mcmillan claims that if she had listened to medical experts her baby wouldn't be alive today. Between-hospital variation in treatment and outcomes in extremely preterm infants. A baby boy born at 21 weeks has been named in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most premature baby to have ever survived. GET IN TOUCH WITH A RECORD SPECIALIST (Opens in a new window), Worlds most premature baby, given 0% odds of survival, celebrates first birthday, The people with the worlds longest nails and why they grow them, Egyptian siblings claim five records including largest feet and hands, UK couple break greatest height difference record with almost 2ft between them, Tales of the tallest men in the world and why they reach such heights, A nail-biting encounter with the woman who has the longest fingernails, How to set or break a Guinness World Records title. Its such a privilege taking care of these tiny people. The "miracle baby" finally celebrated his first birthday on June 5, as GWC recognized him officially as the most premature baby to ever survive, surpassing a 35-year record held by James Elgin . 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