Little Miracle Goes Home

A premature baby that US doctors say spent less time in the womb than any other surviving infant is to be released from a Florida hospital today.

Amillia Sonja Taylor was just nine-and-a-half inches long and weighed less than 10 ounces when she was born on October 24. She was delivered 21 weeks and six days after conception.

“We weren’t too optimistic,” Dr William Smalling said in Miami. “But she proved us all wrong.”

Neonatologists who cared for Amillia said she was the first baby known to survive after a gestation period of fewer than 23 weeks.

Amillia has experienced respiratory problems, a very mild brain haemorrhage and some digestive problems, but none of the health concerns are expected to pose long-term problems, her doctors said.

Amillia has been in an incubator and receiving oxygen since birth. She will continue getting a small amount of oxygen, and her breathing will be monitored once she leaves hospital. She is now 25 inches long and weighs more than four pounds.

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