The “world’s tiniest baby”, who weighed roughly the same weight as an apple at birth, has been released from a Singapore hospital after 13 months.
Premature baby Yu Xian was delivered by emergency C-section in June 2020, measuring just 24cm in height when she was delivered at the National University Hospital.
Yu is said to be the tiniest baby to have survived a premature birth.
Her mum, Wong Mei Ling, 35, said: “I didn’t expect to give birth so quickly, and we were very sad that Yu Xuan was born so small. But… we didn’t have a choice. We could just hope that she would continue to grow.”
During her time in hospital, Yu was in intensive care and placed on a ventilator to assist her breathing. Because of her fragility, the hospital had to cater to her changing needs. The nurses even customised nappies to fit her small size.
Fortunately, her parents were able to pay for the hospital bills through online fundraising.
Yu currently still requires oxygen support and a feeding tube at home. But her parents are grateful to the doctors and nurses, as well as to the sponsors, who came to the aid of their precious daughter.
SPUC comment
A SPUC spokesperson said: “It is truly remarkable and gratifying to see tiny Yu overcome such a perilous start to life.
“Advances in medical care at the beginning of life have transformed the prospects of survival for premature babies.
“Such stories as these remind us that life matters. Given the chance by a civilised society, even the most vulnerable life sometimes finds a way to thrive. The world’s tiniest baby reminds us that vulnerable human lives call for our love and protection and they should never be discarded.”
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