Doctor's gave little Richard Scott William Hutchinson a zero percent survival rate after having been born five months premature—the world record for the most premature born baby in the world.
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Breaking records at birth
On June 5 2020, Beth Hutchinson went into labour—131 days earlier than expected—and delivered a tiny baby boy weighing in nothing more than 11.9 ounces (337 grams). Little Richard was so tiny his entire body could be held on one hand.
But although he was born alive doctor's did not believe his quality of life, if any at all, would be worth living. Dr Stacy Kern, Richard's neonatologist at Children's Minnesota explained:
When [his father] Rick and Beth received prenatal counseling on what to expect with a baby born so early, they were given a 0 per cent chance of survival by our neonatology team. I knew the first few weeks of Richard's life would be very difficult, but I felt that if he could make it through that, he would be a survivor.
A fully recovered baby
Baby Richard spent six months in the neo-natal ward of the hospital, and with the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic, he could not afford to have many visits from his parents. Ultimately, against all odds, he was discharged is now healthier than ever. When speaking to the Guinness World Records, Dr Kern shared:
The day Richard was discharged from the NICU was such a special day. I remember picking him up out of his crib and just holding him with tears in my eyes. I couldn't believe this was the same little boy that once was so sick, that I feared he may not survive.
And added:
The same little boy that once fit in the palm of my hand, with skin so translucent that I could see every rib and vessel in his tiny body. I couldn't help but squeeze him and tell him how proud I was of him.
