A baby born in Iowa at just 21 weeks of gestation has officially broken the Guinness World Record for the most premature baby to survive, according to a statement released Thursday.
The infant was delivered more than four months early and defied overwhelming odds to survive, thanks to extensive neonatal care and medical intervention. Typical full-term pregnancies last about 40 weeks; babies born before 24 weeks are considered extremely premature and face significant risks.
Medical staff and the family say the case represents a milestone in neonatal science and hope it brings awareness to the possibilities of early intervention and care.
Guinness World Records has verified the achievement, naming the Iowa baby the most premature infant ever to survive.
