SAN DIEGO — The smallest surviving baby in the world was released this month from a San Diego hospital after being born at just 8.6 ounces, officials at Sharp Mary Birch said.
The baby, named Saybie, was born at 23 weeks, three days in December. When she was released from the hospital this month, she weighed 5.6 pounds.
Sharp Mary Birch announced the baby’s birth at a news conference held Wednesday.
#JUSTIN: world’s smallest surviving baby born at Sharp Mary Birch in December, released this month at 5.6 lbs. At birth, baby Saybie weighed as much as a large apple – only 245 grams (8.6 ounces) @fox5sandiego pic.twitter.com/ePZxQto3ae
— Aric Richards (@AricFOX5) May 29, 2019
Her status as the world’s smallest surviving newborn comes via the Tiniest Babies Registry, which is maintained by University of Iowa. She weighed 7 grams less than the previous smallest baby, who was born in Germany in 2015, according to Sharp.
“After experiencing severe pregnancy complications, Saybie’s mother gave birth via emergency cesarean section at 23 weeks, 3 days gestation in the womb,” Sharp explained. “A typical pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. Doctors said the preterm birth was necessary after they found that the baby was not gaining weight and her mother’s life was at immediate risk.”
Saybie was cared for in the Sharp Mary Birch NICU for about 5 months.
