World’s Smallest Surviving Baby Finally Goes Home

Weighing only 8.6 ounces, or as much as a large apple, Baby Saybie was born in December 2018 at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns, according to a press release. After a nearly five-month stay in the NICU, the little girl was finally discharged to go home this month weighing 5 lbs.

Baby Saybie, which is an anonymous name the baby is being referred to, is believed to be the world’s smallest surviving newborn, according to Tiniest Baby Registry which is maintained by the University of Iowa. She weighed about 7 grams less than the previous smallest baby, who was born in Germany in 2015.

After experiencing pregnancy complications, Saybie’s mom gave birth via emergency c-section at 23 weeks. Doctors said the c-section was necessary after they discovered the baby was not gaining weight and her mother’s life was at an immediate risk. Saybie was considered a micro preemie because she was born before 28 weeks gestation. The baby, however, experienced “virtually none” of the medical challenges typical to micro preemies, such as brain bleeds and lung and heart issues.

Luckily, baby Saybie was in good hands—Sharp Mary Birch has the largest Level III NICU in San Diego County.

“No one expects their baby to be born with complications,” says Trisha Khaleghi, senior vice president and chief executive officer at Sharp Mary Birch. “But when the unexpected occurs, Sharp Mary Birch is equipped with the latest technologies, equipment, research and specially trained experts to care for even the world’s smallest baby.”

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