A baby believed to be the smallest on record to survive premature birth has been discharged from a hospital in California, weighing just 245g (8.6oz) at birth. Born at 23 weeks and three days in December 2018, Baby Saybie was transferred to the intensive care unit at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital in San Diego.
After five months of care, she was released weighing a healthy 2.5kg (5.6lb). A nurse described her recovery as a 'miracle'. The Tiniest Babies Registry at the University of Iowa says Saybie is thought to be the world's smallest surviving premature baby, surpassing a German girl born at 252g in 2015.
Saybie's mother gave birth by emergency C-section after being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a potentially fatal pregnancy complication. She described it as the 'scariest day of my life'. Doctors considered Saybie a 'micro preemie', born before 28 weeks' gestation, and she was small enough to fit in the palm of a hand.
Her survival is attributed to a lack of serious complications, such as brain bleeds or lung and heart issues, which are common in such premature births.
