After being born 133 days premature, a 1-year-old boy in Iowa holds the Guinness World Records’ title for most premature baby.
On July 5, 2024, Nash Keen was born to Randall and Mollie Keen at a gestational age of 147 days, or 21 weeks. Malinda Schaefer, MD, PhD, and other clinicians at University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City helped deliver Nash, who weighed just 10 ounces — less than a can of soda, according to a July 23 release from the health system.
Neonatologist Amy Stanford, MD, supervised his resuscitation.
“Sometimes babies born at 21 weeks are just too small for even our tiniest breathing tubes and intravenous lines,” Dr. Stanford said in a statement. “Our NICU team assessed Nash, and I was able to place a breathing tube. Once we had the breathing tube in, his heart rate stabilized, and his oxygen levels were good.”
After spending his first few months at University of Iowa Health Care’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Nash was discharged in January. Read more about his care journey here.
