A baby boy who was given a slim 30 percent chance of survival after being born 16 weeks prematurely has defied the odds and embarked on his very first day of school. Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communications said: “Advances in medicine and technology mean that premature babies have an increasingly high chance of survival. Little Lyle has a fighting spirit and we wish him all the best on his very first day of school!”
New Primary 1, Lyle Cruickshanks, was born 16 weeks prematurely on December 24th 2014. Delivered at Ninewells hospital in Dundee, the tiny boy weighed only 1lb 3oz and according to his mother Abbie, looked “smaller than a doll.”
Lyle spent 105 days being cared for in hospital and doctors predicted that he had a slim 30 percent chance of survival.
Six years later, Lyle has defied the odds and has now embarked on his very first day of school.
Proud mum Abbie said: “I was so happy to see him in his school uniform – it was a day that five years ago I sometimes feared I would never see.”
Growing survival rates for premature babies
In 2019, a review by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine has found that medical advances had increased the survival rate for premature babies and in new guidelines published in October last year, doctors have been told they should change their practice and resuscitate babies born as early as 22 weeks.
Evidence provided by Professor of Neonatal Paediatrics, John Wyatt, shows that a baby born at 23 weeks old has a 50 percent chance of surviving. His evidence reveals that 30 years ago, less than 20 percent of babies born before 28 weeks of gestation survived. However, advances in medical care at the beginning of life have transformed the prospects of survival for premature babies.
Evidence now indicates that 35 percent of babies born four months premature at 22 weeks old now survive if treated.
SPUC’s Mr Robinson added: “Children like Lyle are a powerful testament to life. Speaking as a parent, it is important to remember that a doctor’s prediction is not always correct, and we should remain hopeful, always.”