NSFW How small is too small for a premature birth? See details.

I’m no expert, but a bit of research seems to suggest that the baby has a pretty decent chance of survival, thanks to advancements in modern medicine and pre-natal care. However the baby will most likely be at high risk of developmental issues, such as mental retardation, hearing impairment, and vision impairment, for example.

It’s not just the size, but also the gestational age that determine survival. In addition, the level hospital of birth plays a big part. If you give birth at a regional center equipped with a full NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), you will fare much better.

In general, 25–26 weeks gestation have >80% survival rates. 23 weeks gestation with a birth weight 500–699g has under 50% survival, but >700g has over 50%. 24 weeks gestation is in-between the two.

As @ANef_is_Enuf mentioned, this is only survival, not morbidity. Morbidity will depend on gestational age and birth weight (and level of hospital of birth) as well, but will also depend on infections, oxygenation (too much or too little), feeding/intestinal issues, etc.

Feel free to PM me. I’m a neonatal clinical data analyst.

My brother had a friend ( she is 62 plus now ) when born that weighted on one pound 9 ounces. She was in the hospital for 5 months, if I remember right, before coming home.

Another factor to consider—I just read something that said that premature boys tend to fare worse than premature girls of the same age.

Hard to answer since medical technology is pushing the bounds of what is viable.

My brother in law was an extreme preme and was so small that his fathers wedding ring could be placed over his around his entire hand/arm. He is now a healthy 6’4” adult.

Yep. Have to agree…seems the consensus is that size does not matter. Um. wait. what?

My nephew is home. 4 pounds 15 ounces, but he’s out of the hospital. A ways to go still, but much better than I expected.

I got to meet the guy last friday. 20 pounds of healthy happy baby. He still has a few issues, a hernia that needs repair and some acid reflux, but he’s amazing. He’s sharp as a tack, has great hand eye coordination, and is strong for his size. They figure his body will catch up soon with his age group, but he’s happy and healthy. Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers.

A little followup. He’s doing great. He is a happy healthy generic baby.

@Adirondackwannabe Yay for happy healthy generic babies!! :)

He’s pretty amazing. And in the ward where he was, they lost a bunch of babies of similar size. But on the bright side, his mom is pregnant with another boy and doing fine. Hopefully he soon has a little brother to torment.