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Most premature baby set for home Premature baby to stay for checks
(about 10 hours 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. Doctors in Miami are delaying the release of the world's most-premature baby, saying she will stay in hospital a few more days for checks.
Amillia Taylor is believed to be the first baby to have survived following a gestation period of less than 22 weeks. They had earlier said Amillia Taylor would be allowed to go home on Tuesday.
She weighed a mere 10 ounces (284 grams) at birth on 24 October. Amillia is believed to be the first baby to have survived following a gestation period of less than 22 weeks.
Doctors generally consider that babies born weighing less than 14 ounces (400g) at birth stand no chance of survival. She weighed a mere 10 ounces (284 grams) at birth on 24 October. Babies under 14 ounces were thought to 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 9.5in (241mm). A spokeswoman at the Baptist Children's Hospital gave no details on the doctors' decision, simply saying: "They want to observe her a couple more days."
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. Amillia 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 measured just 9.5in (241mm).
"She's truly a miracle baby, " said Dr William Smalling, neo-natal expert at the Baptist Children's Hospital."She's truly a miracle baby, " said Dr William Smalling, neo-natal expert 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 mother Q&A: Premature babies
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".
Even though she's only four pounds (1.8kg) now, she's plump to me Sonja Taylor,Amillia's mother Q&A: Premature babies
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 4lb 6oz (2kg).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 4lb 6oz (2kg).
Amillia's survival demonstrates the dramatic advances in neo-natal care in recent years, correspondents say.Amillia's survival demonstrates the dramatic advances in neo-natal care in recent years, correspondents say.