World’s smallest premature baby boy leaves hospital healthy

A record breaking lad, here.

The world's smallest premature baby boy ever born has left the hospital and gone home healthy. The baby was born in Tokyo last August via C-section weighing a record breaking 268 grams, or just over half a pound. His weight had not increased past 24 weeks gestation and doctors ruled an early delivery was necessary as his life was in danger. The boy was so small after birth that he could fit "in a pair of hands." Japan Times reports that boy was treated in Keio University Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit for almost six months months until he was able to breathe on his own. Over time, the baby grew to a healthy 3,238 grams, or seven pounds, and was eventually able to be breastfed. He left the hospital to go home last Wednesday, two months after his scheduled due date. Only 23 babies worldwide have survived being born prematurely under 300 grams, according to the Tiniest Babies Registry. The smallest surviving baby used to be an infant boy born in Germany at 274 grams in 2009. The smallest baby girl was born at 252 grams in Germany in 2015. “I want people to know that babies can return home vigorous even if they are born small,” said attending Dr. Takeshi Arimitsu. Feature image via Keio University Hospital.