Dr Kern believes Rick and Beths dedication played a key part in their sons success. HuffPost. is recognized as the most premature baby ever born, being born 128 days prematurely. The earliest documented survival of such a premature baby was James Elgin Gill, born in Ottawa, Canada in 1987. It is important to note that these babies, although they were all very small, were born at 23 weeks gestation or later. He has three siblings, the eldest of which love to help out with day-to-day care such as bathtime, getting dressed and feeding. 2007;33(3):125-6. doi:10.1136/jme.2006.020099, Glass HC, Costarino AT, Stayer SA, Brett CM, Cladis F, Davis PJ. Mum's question to me was: 'Can we give my babies a chance? Born about four months early, Guinness says the neonatology team at Childrens Minnesota hospital told Beth and Rick Hutchinson that their son had a 0% chance of survival. Before meeting with a consultant, she says the staff member suggested that she asked for a surgical procedure, known as a cervical stitch. James Elgin Gill was born in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 20, 1987, around 128 days early or 21 weeks gestation. James Elgin Gill James Elgin Gill (born on 20 May 1987 in Ottawa, Canada) was the earliest premature baby in the world. His discharge from the hospital was only made possible with a tailored course of medication and special equipment such as bottled oxygen and a feeding tube, but it was nevertheless a major milestone on his extraordinary journey. At that point, it was all about getting through those extremely challenging first minutes, hours and days. Andrea Mabry/University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. The consultant and I didn't see eye to eye. The previous record for most premature baby belonged to Richard Hutchinson, who was born 131 days premature on June 5, 2020. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. "Most importantly they should never lose their voice. As a newborn, Curtis weighed only 420 g (14.8 oz), which is about the same as a soccer ball. The standard gestational period for a baby is 40 weeks. California's tiniest baby goes home from hospital. In 1987, James Elgin Gill was born at 21 weeks 5 days, or 128 days premature, to parents Brenda and James Gill in Ottawa, Canada. Ms Mcmillan said: "What I want is for other women to hear my story and know that they should listen to their gut. Hutchinson's parents fought hard to see their son survive the odds. "He is certainly my hero," a report in NBC News quoted his father Rick Hutchinson as saying. We've received your submission. He is truly the worlds N=1 baby, Sims said. Gill was born at a gestational age of 21 weeks 5 days, or 128 days premature, on 20 May 1987. Richard surpassed the record of James Elgin Gill, who Brenda and James Gill in Canada. That said, there were many challenges along the way and he required around-the-clock care for many months. James was born at 21 weeks and 5 days old - meaning he was 128 days early. Thanks to the quick response of the experienced medical team at theRegional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(RNICU), following his mother's wishes, Curtis was delivered at a gestational age of 21 weeks 1 day (148 days) at around 1 p.m. on 5 July. This breaks a three-and-a-half-century record. The standard gestational period for a baby is 40 weeks. The "miracle baby" finally celebrated his first birthday on June 5, as GWC recognized him officially as the most premature baby to ever survive, surpassing a 35-year record held by James Elgin . The world's youngest. Much of his body was still developing, including his skin, hands, ears, and feet. 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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 was quickly transferred from her local hospital to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), which is heralded for having one of the leading neonatology and paediatric departments in the country. James Elgin Gill was born in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 20, 1987, at 21 weeks. The 2001 Guinness Book of Records lists the most premature baby as James Elgin Gill, born in Canada at 128 days premature, but weighing 21 grams - 7.4oz - more than Christopher. "Were still surprised about it. Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. 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. Instead, the baby girl, Kwek Yu Xuan, weighed only 7.5 ounces. 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. Women should not need to fight for every single treatment.". "They are the most amazing team," said Beth. Bantam Books. After 183 days in the hospital, Kenna went home with feeding and oxygen tubes and is now a healthy little girl. His due date wasnt until Oct. 13. His record was broken in 2014. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Infants born before 22 weeks are believed to have a small fighting chance because all their major organs, such as the lungs, heart, and brain, have not yet fully developed. Also in the running is a German. "I couldnt believe this was the same little boy that once was so sick, that I feared he may not survive. This time there were serious consequences. Born September 19, 2004, Rumaisa Rahman and her fraternal twin sister Hiba were born at 25 weeks and 6 days gestation, about 15 weeks before their due date. Dr Kern considers herself lucky to have played a part in Richards record-breaking story. I was amazed at such a young age that he was alive and that he was responding to the treatments, Travers told Guinness World Records.Initially, Curtis was on a lot of breathing support and medication for his heart and lungs to keep him alive. "There were and still are a lot of different specialists involved with Richard through this whole process, but for him to come home, he had to be stable and had to be on half a liter or less of oxygen as well.". Guinness World Records also took this milestone as an opportunity to officially recognise him as the most premature baby to survive. This meant that Rick and Beth made the journey every single day across the state border from their home in St Croix County, Wisconsin, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to spend as much time as they could with their son. View our online Press Pack. 15 Million preterm births annually: what has changed this year? In the last month, guidance has changed - suggesting that doctors should consider saving the lives of babies born as early as 22 weeks. "They didn't make any improvement. According to Guinness, in 1978, a Canadian couple delivered a baby boy at 21 weeks and five days.That child, James Elgin Gill, previously held the world record that now belongs to Richard. If I had listened to the consultants I would not have baby Sam now. 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. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world's most premature baby is Richard Hutchinson, who was born weighing less than a can of soda. Rumaisa and her twin were delivered early because their mom suffered from severe preeclampsia, which can cause babies to be smaller than average for their gestational age (as can being a twin). By Cheryl Bird, RN, BSN When they found out she was pregnant in February 2020, "we were ecstatic," said Beth Hutchinson. Blencowe H, Cousens S, Oestergaard MZ, et al. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I agree with them. 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. After more than 16 weeks in the hospital, Melinda went home weighing 4.5 pounds. "I knew in my gut that this baby was a survivor and I was determined that he was going to live. Research published in the Journal of Medical Ethics observed a 26% to 44% chance of survival for babies born between 24 to 25 weeks. The standard gestational period for a baby is 40 weeks. They also have three dogs, who apparently Richard "loves to hang out with". Can 21 week baby survive? The consultant and I didn't see eye to eye. The survival gap between high versus low-income countries is getting wider. More about James Elgin Gill Less about James Elgin . Chicago Tribune. Melinda was born at 24 weeks because her mom had developed high blood pressure during her pregnancy. Download The AppDaily pregnancy & newborn updates with our FREE app. As of 2006, the two youngest children to survive premature birth are thought to be James Elgin Gill (born on 20 May 1987 in Ottawa, Canada, at 21 weeks and 5 days gestational age), and Amillia Taylor (born on 24 October 2006 in Miami, Florida, at 21 weeks and 6 days gestational age). Assistant professor within UAB's Division of Neonatology Dr Colm Travers is co-director of the hospitals Golden Week Program for extremely preterm infants. I was told that because my cervix was opening my baby was not viable. November is aptly also Prematurity Awareness Month. He was also the first person to have a suspicion that Curtis 21-week 1-day gestational age could have set a world record, and he played a crucial role in helping Chelly with the record application process. Earliest Premature Baby The earliest born baby to have survived the ordeal was James Elgin Gill, who was born in 1987 in Canada. 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.. His record was broken in 2014. WHAT MAKES A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS TITLE? "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Guinness World Records - 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 gestational age of 21 weeks 1 day or 148 days, making him 132 days premature. Be nosey because it is your child, and you deserve to know what is going on.". For other inquiries, Contact Us. The UK operates a little differently to the US when it comes to the legal rights of unborn babies. However, she suffered labour pain months ahead of her due delivery date due to some complications. This is what makes Curtis recovery all the more exceptional. And in 2010, Yvonne and John Mangold gave birth to daughter Frieda Mangold at the same age. James Elgin Gill born at 21 weeks and 5 days gestation in Canada officially became the earliest premature baby born in 1987. She weighed just 8.6 ounces and was 9 inches long, making her one of the tiniest babies known to have survived. This incredible story of joy and beating the odds is tempered with heartache because Curtis was one of twins. Hutchinson's birthday was June 5 and his parents are Rick and Beth Hutchinson of St. Croix County, Wis. "We're still surprised about it," Beth said. James was born to Brenda and James Gill in Ottawa at a gestational age of 21 weeks . He is now at college . 2015;120(6):1337-51. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000000705. Between 22 and 24 weeks gestation is considered the very earliest age of survival for preemies. If I had listened to the consultants in Raigmore I would not have baby Sam now. And, we counted our blessings. "He showed initially that he responded to oxygen, his heart rate went up, his numbers went up" Dr Sims informed us. 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