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A Miracle Baby Amilla Born at just 22 weeks -
Amilla
is not yet allowed home
By NICK McDERMOTT - More by this author »
Last updated at 16:12pm on 22nd February 2007
A girl born after just under 22 weeks in the womb - among the shortest gestation
periods known for a live birth - will remain in a hospital a few extra days as a
precaution, officials said.
Amillia Taylor, who weighed less than 10 ounces (283 grams), had been expected
to be sent home this week.
However, routine tests indicated she was vulnerable to infection, said Dr. Paul
Fassbach, who has cared for the baby since shortly
after she was born.
"She has been fine," Fassbach said, but doctors are being extra cautious "now
that she's going into the world."
Video...the tiny baby who survived against all the odds
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Doctors say she is the first baby known to have survived after a gestation of
fewer than 23 weeks. But full-term births usually come after 37 to 40 weeks.
Amillia was just 9 1/2 inches long and weighed less than 10 ounces when she was
delivered by Caesarean section. She now weighs 4 1/2 pounds.
She has suffered respiratory and digestive problems, as well as a mild brain
hemorrhage, but doctors believe the health concerns will not have major
long-term effects.
"Her prognosis is excellent," said Dr. Paul Fassbach, who has cared for Amillia
since her second day.
Amillia was conceived in vitro and has been in an incubator since birth. She
will continue to receive a small amount of supplemental oxygen even after she
goes home.
Her parents Sonja and Eddie, from Homestead, Florida, were visiting friends in
Miami when Mrs Taylor went into labour at just over 19 weeks pregnant, having
conceived by IVF.
Doctors attempted to delay the birth but eventually were forced to carry out an
emergency caesarean.
Amillia Taylor weighed just under 10oz and was only 91/2 inches long at birth
Dr Guillermo Lievano, who delivered Amillia, said he was not expecting her to
survive.
"I was prepared for the worst and prepared to break the bad news to the mother."
Amillia responded to treatment, however. During two months in an incubator, she
even had plastic surgery after her left ear was partially torn off during the
delivery.
"I'm still in amazement," said Mrs Taylor, 37, a teacher. "I wanted her to have
a chance and I knew in my heart that she was going to make it.
"It was hard to imagine she would get this far. But now she is beginning to look
like a real baby. Even though she's only 4lb now, she's plump to me."
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Ten ounces of determination: Amillia was little longer than this pen
William Smalling, neo-natologist at Baptist Children's Hospital in Miami, said:
"She's truly a miracle baby. We didn't even know what a normal blood pressure is
for a baby this small."
Amillia's incredible story will reignite the debate over Britain's abortion
laws, which campaigners say must be updated in the light of recent medical
advances.
Babies can still be aborted for non-medical reasons at up to 24 weeks. Recent
evidence shows that, of those born at 25 weeks, half of them manage to live
Video...the tiny
baby who survived against all the odds
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Player
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