World's smallest baby at 245 grams called “a miracle”
She weighed only as much as an apple at birth
A baby born weighing just 245g, believed to be the tiniest on record to survive premature birth, has left hospital after five months in the US.
Little Saybie was born when her mum was just 23 weeks pregnant.
She was transferred to the intensive care unit at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital in San Diego, California.
Her parents were told she would not survive more than an hour after birth.
“But then an hour turned into two hours, which turned into a day, which turned into a week,” Saybie’s mother said.
A nurse who cared for the premature baby as she battled for survival said her recovery and release earlier this month was a "miracle".
According to the Tiniest Babies Registry, Saybie is thought to be the world's smallest surviving premature baby.
Saybie’s birth was so premature her doctors considered her a ‘micro preemie’ - a baby born before 28 weeks' gestation.
She was so small she weighed about as much as a large apple and could fit in the palm of the hands of her care team.
Despite her tiny size, however, Saybie didn’t experience any serious complications after the birth.
“Saybie experienced virtually none of the medical challenges typically associated with micro preemies, which can include brain bleeds, and lung and heart issues,” the hospital said.
Nicola Conville has worked as a journalist and editor for more than 20 years across a wide range of print and online publications. Her areas of expertise are parenting, health and travel. She has two children; Lucy, age eight, and Nathan, age five.
