What is the Shortest Pregnancy Ever Recorded?
The shortest pregnancy ever recorded resulting in a surviving infant is 21 weeks and 1 day, or 148 days. This is the gestational age of Curtis Zy-Keith Means, born on July 5th, 2020, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. He was 132 days premature and subsequently recognized by Guinness World Records as the most premature baby to survive.
While there are anecdotal accounts of even shorter pregnancies, those pregnancies did not result in a surviving infant. Several sources mention extremely premature births, and babies born weighing only a few ounces, which were considered world records at their time. However, the documented and verified shortest pregnancy resulting in a surviving baby remains Curtis Zy-Keith Means' birth at 21 weeks and 1 day.
Premature births, or births that occur before 37 weeks of gestation, pose significant health risks to the infant. The earlier the birth, the greater the risk of complications. Curtis Zy-Keith Means' survival is extraordinary, highlighting the advancements in neonatal care.
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Factors influencing survival: Survival of extremely premature babies depends on many factors, including access to advanced medical care, the baby's individual health, and the expertise of medical professionals.
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Ongoing research: Research continuously pushes the boundaries of what is considered viable for extremely premature infants, leading to improved outcomes for these babies.
Examples of other extremely premature babies:
- Madeline, a baby born weighing just 9.9 ounces, is mentioned in some articles but lacks the detailed birth information to compare with the official Guinness World Record. She was a world record holder at the time of her birth but was later surpassed.
- Other sources cite various extremely low birth weights and gestational ages, but none have the same level of official verification as Curtis Zy-Keith Means' case.
It is important to note that the focus is on surviving infants. Many pregnancies end before viability, or the baby may not survive after birth, even with extensive medical intervention.
