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Miami baby sets premature record Most premature baby set for home
(40 minutes later)
A baby girl said to have spent the shortest time in her mother's womb is to be released from the hospital in Miami where she was born.A baby girl said to have spent the shortest time in her mother's womb is to be released from the hospital in Miami where she was born.
Amillia Taylor is believed to be the first baby to have survived following a gestation period of less than 23 weeks.Amillia Taylor is believed to be the first baby to have survived following a gestation period of less than 23 weeks.
She weighed a mere 284 grams (10 ounces) at birth on 24 October.She weighed a mere 284 grams (10 ounces) at birth on 24 October.
Doctors generally consider that babies born weighing less than 400g (14 ounces) at birth stand no chance of survival.Doctors generally consider that babies born weighing less than 400g (14 ounces) at birth stand no chance of survival.
'Miracle baby''Miracle baby'
At the time of her birth at the Baptist Children's Hospital last October, Amillia measured 241cm (9.5in) - no longer than a ballpoint pen. At the time of her birth at the Baptist Children's Hospital last October, Amillia measured 241mm (9.5in) - no longer than a ballpoint pen.
Doctors held out little hope of Amillia survivingDoctors held out little hope of Amillia surviving
She spent a little under 22 weeks in her mother's womb, a world record according to the University of Iowa which keeps track of premature babies born throughout the world.She spent a little under 22 weeks in her mother's womb, a world record according to the University of Iowa which keeps track of premature babies born throughout the world.
Initially, doctors held little hope for her survival.Initially, doctors held little hope for her survival.
"She's truly a miracle baby, " said William Smalling, a neo-natalist at the Baptist Children's Hospital."She's truly a miracle baby, " said William Smalling, a neo-natalist at the Baptist Children's Hospital.
"We weren't too optimistic. But she proved us all wrong," he said."We weren't too optimistic. But she proved us all wrong," he said.
Even though she's only four pounds (1.8kg) now, she's plump to me Sonja Taylor, Amillia's motherEven though she's only four pounds (1.8kg) now, she's plump to me Sonja Taylor, Amillia's mother
Amillia has experienced respiratory problems, a very mild brain haemorrhage and some digestive problems, but doctors now say her "prognosis is excellent".Amillia has experienced respiratory problems, a very mild brain haemorrhage and some digestive problems, but doctors now say her "prognosis is excellent".
Her parents named her Amillia - which means resilient in Latin, a fighter and hardworking - to reflect her survival against the odds.Her parents named her Amillia - which means resilient in Latin, a fighter and hardworking - to reflect her survival against the odds.
"It was hard to imagine she would get this far. But now she is beginning to look like a real baby," said Sonja Taylor, Amillia's mother."It was hard to imagine she would get this far. But now she is beginning to look like a real baby," said Sonja Taylor, Amillia's mother.
"Even though she's only four pounds (1.8kg) now, she's plump to me," Mrs Taylor said."Even though she's only four pounds (1.8kg) now, she's plump to me," Mrs Taylor said.
She said the worst thing had been not being able to hold her baby for more than six weeks after she was born.She said the worst thing had been not being able to hold her baby for more than six weeks after she was born.
On Tuesday, Amillia is going home after spending nearly four months in the hospital's neo-natal intensive care unit where her every move was monitored 24 hours a day.On Tuesday, Amillia is going home after spending nearly four months in the hospital's neo-natal intensive care unit where her every move was monitored 24 hours a day.
Doctors say she will still have to be monitored closely after her release, requiring asthma medication and extra oxygen for months to come, as she still weighs less than 2kg (4lb 6oz).Doctors say she will still have to be monitored closely after her release, requiring asthma medication and extra oxygen for months to come, as she still weighs less than 2kg (4lb 6oz).
Amillia's survival also demonstrates the improvements made in neo-natal care.Amillia's survival also demonstrates the improvements made in neo-natal care.