Against all odds, the baby born prematurely, initially with zero chances of survival, defies expectations and celebrates its first birthday.

When Beth and Rick Hutchinson welcomed their son into the world on 5 June 2020 – several months ahead of schedule – he was so small that he could fit into the palm of one of their hands. Weighing a mere 340 g (11.9 oz) – about the same as a can of soup, or one-tenth of the average weight for a full-term newborn – the initial prognosis for Richard Scott William Hutchinson was far from optimistic.

Doctors thought it was their duty to warn the boy’s parents of the worst case scenario when he was originally admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis. best. According to Dr. Stacy Kern, a primary care physician, when Rick and Beth received prenatal education about what to do with a baby born too early, our neonatal experts gave them a 0% chance of survival. The birth of Richard at Children’s Minnesota.

Beth had a baby on October 13, 2020, however due to medical issues, she suddenly went into labor about 4 months sooner than scheduled. It was decided to give birth to Richard and then try your best to keep him alive after a lengthy debate with the doctors. Richard was 131 days premature when he was born at 21 weeks and 2 days of gestation. A baby’s typical gestation time is 40 weeks.

June 5, 2021 marks his first birthday. Guinness World Records also took this milestone as an opportunity to officially recognize the boy as the most premature baby to survive. This number surpasses the record that has stood for three and a half decades. reports indicate that this is coincident with Frieda Mangold, who was born to Yvonne and John Mangold (both in Germany) in Fulda, Germany, on 7 November 2010 of the same age.

“It continues to amaze us. But we’re content. It’s one way we can spread the word about preterm birth by telling his story.”

I credit his miraculous survival to his wonderful parents who were with him every step of the way and to the entire newborn team at Children Minnesota. At the beginning of December 2020, after more than half a year at the NICU, he was given full express permission to leave the hospital and return home.

It was a difficult day for Richard’s family as well as the medical staff who supported him at every turn. “The day Richard was discharged from the NICU was a great day,” Dr. Kern said to us. He was crying when I took him out of his cot, and I just held him.

When he got home, he was still on oxygen, pulse oximeter and feeding tube pump. We’re trying to get rid of all that, but it takes time. He has come a long way and is doing amazing things. He taught me what resilience really means and every time I look at him, I’m reminded how strong and amazing all these beautiful little kids are.

“I think Richard’s story has inspired so many people around the world and I think we will all continue to learn from him. Thank you, Richard, Beth and Rick for all you have taught us. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.”