The Most Premature Baby Released from Hospital

Five-month-old girl Frieda who is the earliest born surviving baby in the world is going to leave hospital for the first time in her life and stay with her parents over the holidays. Frieda arrived into the world on November 7, 2010, after only 152-day pregnancy period, weighing 450 grams and measuring a little more than 27 centimeters. Her parents are Yvonne and John Mangold, 33 and 38.

The girl was born at Fulda Children’s Hospital in Germany where she has been receiving intensive care ever since. Reinald Repp, chief doctor at the hospital, explained that the prematurely born baby received breathing assistance and was fed through the navel; her environment was strictly sterile. Dr. Repp said her health condition was good and added that he was sure “there is no foreseeable risk of aftereffects for the moment.”

Now, after five months of hospitalization, Frieda weighs over 3 kilograms and is over 50 centimeters high, and can be allowed to leave hospital for Easter and stay with her parents.

Unfortunately what doctors called a “medical miracle” didn’t work for Frieda’s twin brother Kilian – he died of heart and intestinal problems back in December. The girl survived, and it is believed that she will grow up to enjoy a healthy life.

In the interview to the Fulder newspaper, the Mangolds said they were delighted, but “the happiness feels strange” because of Kilian – they can’t stop thinking about Frieda’s deceased brother who remains in their hearts.

Frieda is Europe’s surviving record breaker among prematurely born babies while the absolute world record rests with a Canadian boy, James Elgin Gill, who was born 128 days before his due time in 1987 in Ottawa.

Source of the image: Hollybaby.