330-gram premature Chinese baby defies the odds to reach 2.5kg in 105 days, heads home

A premature baby in southern China, weighing just 330 grams and measuring as large as an adult’s palm, was discharged from the hospital in good health after a 105-day stay.The newborn baby boy was born on May 20, when his mother was only 23 weeks and four days pregnant, at Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, as reported by the South Daily.Nicknamed Little Zebao, he is recognised as the lightest premature baby in Guangdong province.His skin was as thin as a cicada’s wing, with tiny blood vessels visible beneath the surface. The soles of his feet were smaller than an adult’s thumb, according to the report.Doctors discovered that the baby’s intestinal tract was as thin as a piece of hair and his immune system was not yet developed.Upon birth, the baby was immediately transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit, where he received dedicated treatment and care from the hospital’s medical staff.On September 1, Little Zebao was discharged from the hospital, having gained weight to 2.5kg and declared healthy.“At first, to be honest, we did not expect the baby to survive. Now he is fine and discharged from the hospital. I am truly thrilled!” the baby’s mother, whose name has not been disclosed, told the media.The mother admitted that she initially did not expect the baby to survive, making her truly thrilled by this miracle. Photo: BaiduThe couple sent the hospital a red pennant emblazoned with Chinese characters praising the exceptional skills and kindness of the medical team.The baby was delivered much earlier than the due date because his mother, age undisclosed, suffers from chronic hypertension and developed severe pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication resulting from high blood pressure.Continuing the pregnancy posed significant health risks for the mother. Therefore, doctors devised a meticulous plan to enhance the foetus’s chances of survival.Medical staff prepared thoroughly before the birth by preheating the incubator, checking equipment, and organising medications.Within one minute of the baby’s birth, doctors intubated him due to weak breathing.Further ReadingThey also wrapped his skin in films to maintain warmth and minimise moisture loss.In less than half an hour, nurses connected an indwelling needle to the umbilical artery, allowing medication and nutrients to be delivered to the baby.“We have helped him overcome numerous challenges,” Dr Huang Zhifeng, a senior doctor at the hospital, was quoted as saying.The baby was delivered prematurely because his mother suffers from chronic hypertension and severe pregnancy complications related to high blood pressure. Photo: BaiduA critical moment occurred on the third day following Little Zebao’s birth when his heart rate and blood oxygen saturation suddenly plummeted.An ultrasound examination revealed that fluid had accumulated in the cardiac sac, a situation that could potentially lead to sudden cardiac arrest.Doctors swiftly performed a puncture to remove the fluid, averting danger in just over 10 minutes.“What a medical miracle! I wish this baby grows up healthy,” one internet user commented.“Doctors and nurses have done a great job. They possess immense compassion!” another remarked.This is not the first instance in which the Shenzhen hospital has saved extremely premature babies. In October 2023, a baby of undisclosed gender was born at the hospital when the mother was only 21 weeks and four days pregnant.That infant received treatment for 143 days before being discharged.As a result of this case, the Shenzhen hospital set a record for saving the youngest gestational age premature baby in China.