The world’s most premature baby beat a 0% survival rate and celebrates his first birthday
[June 19, 2021: Kane Nicholls]
A baby born weighing less than a pound has beaten the odds and celebrated his first birthday, becoming the most premature baby to survive, according to Guinness World Records.
When Richard Scott William Hutchinson gave birth five months prematurely, Guinness recognized him as the most premature baby in the world, but his doctor prepared his parents for the worst.
Richard was born at Children’s Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after his mother, Beth Hutchinson, gave birth with medical complications.
Born 131 days before the due date, Guinness said he weighed only 11.9 ounces and was small enough for his parents to hold him in the palm of one hand.
“When [his father] Rick and Beth received prenatal counseling on what to expect from a baby born very early, the neonatologist team had a 0% chance of survival“ according to Dr. Stacy Khan, Richard’s neonatologist.
According to Guinness World Records, babies born under one pound were more likely to be the most premature babies to celebrate their first birthday and survive.
“I thought the first few weeks of Richard’s life would be very difficult, but I felt he would survive if he could get over it.”
Richard's parents traveled daily from their home in St. Croix County, Wisconsin to Minneapolis to be at his side.
After spending more than six months in the hospital in December 2020, Richard was able to go home with his family.
“The day Richard was discharged from the NICU was a very special day. I remember picking him up from the crib and hugging him in tears,” Khan said.
“I couldn’t believe this was the same little boy who was once very ill, so I was worried that he wouldn’t survive. The same little boy who once fit in my palm, with very half skin. Being transparent, I could see all the ribs and blood vessels of his little body. I had to squeeze him and tell him how proud I was. “
On June 5th, a lucky baby began celebrating his first birthday surrounded by his family and three dogs.
“It’s not real,” Beth said of Richard’s breaking the record. “We are still surprised about it, but we are happy. It’s a way we can share his story and raise awareness about preterm birth.”
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