In July of last year, a premature baby was born in Iowa, USA at 21 weeks gestation, weighing only 285 grams, facing the risk of death. However, he miraculously thrived and not only celebrated his first birthday this month but also was certified by the Guinness World Records as the “earliest-born baby” in the world.
According to a report on the Guinness World Records website on July 23, the baby boy named Nash Keen was born on July 5, 2024, in Iowa City. Born after only 21 weeks in his mother’s womb, he arrived 133 days earlier than the typical full-term pregnancy period of 280 days.
Nash was born at the University of Iowa Hospital with a length of only 24 centimeters and a weight of 285 grams, lighter than a grapefruit. He was immediately placed in the intensive care unit upon birth, as the risk of premature infants dying is highest in the first few hours to days of life.
Dr. Amy Stanford, who oversaw Nash’s rescue, mentioned that caring for a 21-week premature baby is vastly different from typical premature cases. These extremely early-born babies require highly specialized care, continuous monitoring, and frequent checks—each hour could make a difference.
Despite facing numerous challenges initially, Nash showed extraordinary resilience, gradually growing steadily after the extremely difficult first few weeks. His mother, Mollie Keen, expressed that Nash’s early birth left them uncertain of his chances of survival in the critical first hours, but they wanted to give him the best opportunity.
While the medical team worked tirelessly to care for Nash to ensure he survived, for his parents, it was a painful waiting period. Mollie described the initial days as a mix of “fear, uncertainty, and hope.”
Recalling Nash being so tiny that she could hardly feel him on her chest, Mollie shared her anxiety when he was connected to wires and monitors, but all her tension dissipated when he was placed on her chest. The long-awaited skin-to-skin contact brought immense relief and love.
Under meticulous care from everyone, Nash stayed in the ICU for nearly six months and was finally discharged home in January this year, marking a significant turning point and a big step forward in his young life.
Nash turned one year old on the 5th of this month. Mollie and her family celebrated with a small party at their home in Ankeny, where he received 70 new outfits, educational toys, mountains of diapers, and a special allowance from the doctor to have some cream-topped cake.
Reflecting on Nash reaching the age of one safely, Mollie expressed pride, gratitude, and a hint of sadness for the different journey he had to endure. “But most importantly, it feels like a victory.”
According to the Guinness World Records, Nash’s record surpasses the previous record holder Curtis Zy-Keith Means by just 1 day. Curtis, born in Alabama on July 5, 2020, at 21 weeks and 1 day gestation, arrived 132 days earlier than the normal term.