Smith PB, Ambalavanan N, Li L, et al. In certain US states, you can't call a baby a baby until 20 weeks gestation. That said, there were many challenges along the way and he required around-the-clock care for many months. When he was about three months old, we were finally able to take him off the ventilator. Gill was born at a gestational age of 21 weeks 5 days, or 128 days premature, on 20 May 1987. The age of viability is usually considered to be 24 weeks of gestation. "But we're happy. More recently, reports suggest that this age was matched by Frieda Mangold, who was born to Yvonne and John Mangold in Fulda, Germany, on 7 November 2010. The Guinness-record-holding world's most premature baby celebrated his first birthday with an epic smash cake. 20 James was born so early that he was expected to die at birth orif he survivedto have multiple and severe handicaps. IE 11 is not supported. That child, James Elgin Gill, previously held the world record that now belongs to. They took the time to educate me and made sure I knew what was happening every step of the way. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. is recognized as the most premature baby ever born, being born 128 days prematurely. Amazingly, Curtis was delivered exactly one month after the previous record holder, Richard Hutchinson from Wisconsin, who was born at a gestational age of 21 weeks 2 days, or 131 days premature on 5 June 2020. FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedInSnapchatPinterestTiktok, Registered Office: Ground Floor, The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom, Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. Despite the odds, Curtis, who required around-the-clock care for months, excelled in treatment and became stronger with time. Carollo K. One of world's smallest surviving infants goes home. But we're happy. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. He set a record when he was born for world's most premature baby - and beat all the odds, growing into a healthy adult. "He taught me what it truly means to be resilient and, every time I look at him, Im reminded how strong and amazing all these little beautiful babies are!". If I had listened to the consultants I would not have baby Sam now. 0:00. She and her partner Sam MacLennan named him Sam. As a newborn, Curtis weighed only 420 g (14.8 oz), which is about the same as a soccer ball. J Med Ethics. I feel so blessed and honoured that I was the neonatologist on service the week Richard was born. James Elgin Gill, born in 1987 in Canada was the earliest premature birth in the world - being born 128 days early at 21 weeks, 5 days gestation, and weighing 1lb 6oz. James Elgin Gill was born to Brenda and James Gill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, at a gestational age of 21 weeks 5 days, or 128 days premature, on 20 May 1987. She lives in a small beach town on the Atlantic coast of Florida with her husband and two kids. 'She's a miracle:' Born weighing about as much as 'a large apple,'Saybie is the world's smallest surviving baby. However, her hopes were dashed when the medic told her there was nothing could be done for her. They face high odds of having some level of disability or developmental impairment, such as cerebral palsy, visual impairment, hearing impairment, or cognitive delays. I was told that because my cervix was opening my baby was not viable. ABC News. According to experts, many babies born so prematurely have slim chances of survival. TRUSTING a doctor's advice is something instilled in us all. Chicago Tribune. Before him, James Elgin Gill of Canada, born on May 20, 1987 at 128 days premature, had held the record for 34 years. Guinness World Records also took this milestone as an opportunity to officially recognise him as the most premature baby to survive. Los Angeles Times. Curtis Zy-Keith Means | Image: Guinness World Records Key Highlights Curtis Zy-Keith Means weighed 420 grams when he was born at 21 weeks and 1 day in July 2020 "It was really hard. Curtis mom, Michelle Butler, gave birth on July 5, 2020 at 21 weeks at the University of Alabama at Birmingham hospital (UAB). He was born at just 21 weeks and one day. In 2014, an Australian womanwhose unborn child died in a car crash with a drunk driver a week before she was due to give birth tried to get a law passed which would give all foetuses past 30 weeks' gestation full rights as a human being. What makes a Guinness World Records title? A 16-month-old Alabama boy who weighed less than a pound when he was born at 21 weeks and one day has set a world record being named the most premature infant to survive, according to Guinness World Records. He added they could not comment on individual cases but that risk assessment is undertaken by doctors and midwives on a case by case basis and throughout pregnancy. The proud mom told Guinness World Records that Curtis or Poodie, as his family calls him is now very active., Dr. Brian Sims, the neonatologist who oversaw the delivery, told Guinness World Records that he had never seen a premature baby so strong.. She said: "I was hysterical, this was my third baby and I felt so unsupported. Dr Kern considers herself lucky to have played a part in Richards record-breaking story. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. "He is certainly my hero," a report in NBC News quoted his father Rick Hutchinson as saying. Beth and Rick Hutchinson with Richard on the day he graduated from the NICU. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Tips for coping with the NICU experience She added: "It was a really frightening time, I was told that my baby would likely need to be delivered, and again Raigmore told me that my baby would not survive.". Despite a due date of 13 October 2020, Beth experienced medical complications and unexpectedly went into labour almost four months earlier than anticipated. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-0039. And in 2010, Yvonne and John Mangold gave birth to daughter Frieda Mangold at the same age. James was born at 21 weeks and 5 days old - meaning he was 128 days early. According to our records, James Elgin Gill is possibly single . Thank you, Richard, Beth and Rick for all you have taught us. We would encourage the family to get in touch with our lead midwife so we can investigate this properly. The most premature baby ever recorded was born in Germany back in November 2010. On May 20, 1987, James Elgin Gill was born in Canad, at a gestational age of 21 weeks 5 days, or 128 days premature. Though she is smaller than other kids her age, she shows no other long-term effects from her premature birth. It was a difficult journey, but I am grateful for the UAB team and their constant support. "They didn't make any improvement. Before both Means and Hutchinson, the record was held for over three decades by James Elgin Gill, who was born 128 days premature in 1987. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The most premature baby to survive is Curtis Zy-Keith Means (U.S.A.) who was born to Michelle Butler on 5 July 2020 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital in Alabama, U.S.A. at a . . The previous record-holder was James Elgin Gill of Canada, who was born 128 days premature and weighing 21.84 ounces. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Pediatrics. James Elgin Gill, born in 1987 in Canada was the earliestpremature birth in the world - being born 128 days early at 21 weeks, 5 days gestation, and weighing 1lb 6oz. I was told that because my cervix was opening my baby was not viable. Richard was born at a gestational age of 21 weeks 2 days, making him 131 days premature. Born in 1989, Madeline Mann was born at 26 weeks. Malone T. Years later, tiniest U.S. babies mature into typical kids. The issue is that the journey is different for every baby we care for and there are often roadblocks along the way which impede progress. Read our, mpact of Prematurity in Twins and Multiples, Taking Your Preemie Home From the Hospital, Health Concerns for a Moderately Preterm Baby. Approach to infants born at 22 to 24 weeks' gestation: Relationship to outcomes of more-mature infants. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. James' eyes were still fused shut." Then I found this: At the time of her birth onAugust 30, 2011, Melinda Star Guido became the second smallest baby in the U.S. and the world's third-smallest baby to survive long enough to leave the hospital. Fast-forward six months, and Richard was going from strength to strength, defying all expectations. Each case will be different, and fortunately, medical care advances each year, giving greater hope for the survival of more premature babies. I remember picking him up out of his crib and just holding him with tears in my eyes. ", "After everything that his mum had been through and the months of not knowing what was going to happen, I was so happy for her that Curtis got to go home and also that he got the recognition [from Guinness World Records] for what she had done to advocate for him, to give him a chance. She and her partner Sam MacLennan named him Sam. 2012;129(6):e1508-16. 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. . You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time by visiting our unsubscribe page and providing your email address. But Linzi says that a chance conversation with a member of the maternity unit staff at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness saved her son's life. James Elgin Gill born at 21 weeks and 5 days gestation in Canada officially became the earliest premature baby born in 1987. New Delhi: US doctors had predicted zero percent survival rate for the world's most premature baby Richard Scott William Hutchinson. A full-term pregnancy is typically 40 weeks, or 280 days, making Curtis 132 days almost 19 weeks premature. And, we counted our blessings. "We are working on getting him off all of them, but it takes time. "He is always surprising us all and making a mark on the world at a young age," she said. Dr Kern believes Rick and Beths dedication played a key part in their sons success. The medical professionals who cared for the baby at the hospital had to improvise when taking care of Yu Xuan as many of their normal tools and techniques were too big for the baby's small body. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He was cared for by a large team, including nurses, speech therapists who helped him learn to use his mouth and eat, respiratory therapists who helped support his breathing as he came off the breathing machine and many others. Always has a smile on the adorable little face of his. But I was not alone. Herald Tribune. Canadian baby, James Elgin Gill, born in 1987, previously held the Guinness records after he was born at 21 weeks, five days, or 128 days premature. Of course, setting records was the last thing on the mind of his mother and the doctors at the time of his delivery. Washington Post. Her NICU team called her progress miraculous. We cant wait to see what the future holds for you. "It doesnt feel real," admitted Beth, when asked how it feels to have broken such a long-unchallenged record. 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. Today, despite being small for her age, Baby Saybie continues to thrive with few known medical issues. Photo credits: Left - Michelle Butler, Right - Andrea Mabry, FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedInSnapchatPinterestTiktok, Registered Office: Ground Floor, The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom, Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. Beth's husband Rick held discussions with doctors and allowed them to carry out the delivery procedure. Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. The earliest premature baby to survive after delivery is now a healthy toddler. I knew in my gut that this baby was a survivor and I was determined that he was going to live. We would encourage the family to get in touch with our lead midwife so we can investigate this properly. After 183 days in the hospital, Kenna went home with feeding and oxygen tubes and is now a healthy little girl. If I had listened to the consultants in Raigmore I would not have baby Sam now. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Rumasia's twin sister Hiba was more than twice her size, at 1 pound 4 ounces and 12 inches long. "My consultant told me she was unable to perform a suture stitch, and I was given pessaries to try to halt the cervix opening. "We made sure we were there to give him support," Rick said. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The youngest age for a baby to survive is 21 weeks and five days, and that record is shared by Frieda Mangold of Germany, and James Elgin Gill of Canada. Born in July 2020, exactly one month after the previous worlds most premature baby, Curtis Zy-Keith Means from Alabama, USA, would go on to make history. He set a record when he was born for the world's most premature baby. Taylor A. "My treatment in Raigmore was terrible, they seem to have all the very best state-of-the-art equipment but nobody was able to provide the procedures that I needed. He weighed in at a mere 1 pound, 6 ounces and was born at less than 18 weeks of gestation. She was born at 24 weeks in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is truly the worlds N=1 baby, Sims said. 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