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Miami baby sets premature record Miami baby sets premature record
(about 2 hours later)
An American baby 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 ever known to have survived after 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 weighing less than 400g at birth are not viable. Doctors generally consider that babies born weighing less than 400g (14 ounces) at birth stand no chance of survival.
Defying the odds 'Miracle baby'
To her parents and the doctors at the Miami hospital where she was born she's nothing short of a miracle. 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.
That's because at the time of her birth last October, Amillia was no longer than a ballpoint pen. Doctors held out little hope of Amillia surviving
Doctors held out little hope of her survival 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 had only 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.
Doctors held little if any hope for her survival. "She's truly a miracle baby, " said William Smalling, a neo-natalist at the Baptist Children's Hospital.
But Amillia has done just that. "We weren't too optimistic. But she proved us all wrong," he said.
She defied the odds and demonstrated a desire to live, which her parents say is the reason they named her Amillia - which means resilient in Latin, a fighter and hardworking. Even though she's only four pounds (1.8kg) now, she's plump to me Sonja Taylor, Amillia's mother
Amillia's survival also stands as a reminder of the dramatic improvements made in recent years in neo-natal care. Amillia has experienced respiratory problems, a very mild brain haemorrhage and some digestive problems, but doctors now say her "prognosis is excellent".
Doctors say they can do things now they could have only dreamt of 10 years ago. Her parents named her Amillia - which means resilient in Latin, a fighter and hardworking - to reflect her survival against the odds.
On Tuesday she is going home after spending nearly four months in the Baptist Children's Hospital's high tech neo-natal intensive care unit where her every move was monitored 24 hours a day. "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.
Her mother says the worst thing was not being able to hold her baby for more than six weeks after she was born. "Even though she's only four pounds (1.8kg) now, she's plump to me," Mrs Taylor said.
Doctors say Amillia 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). 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.
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.