Korea's smallest baby survives against less than 1% odds, returns home to family
Summary
Lee Ye-rang, a baby born at Samsung Medical Center in April, was discharged in good health on Nov. 5 after surviving against less than 1 percent odds. She was born at 260 grams, grew to 3.19 kilograms in six months, and can breathe on her own. Her mother had preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications, and the baby needed intensive treatment after birth.
Key Facts
- Ye-rang was born by cesarean section on April 22, four days after her mother was hospitalized.
- At birth, she weighed 260 grams, which is less than the 300-gram threshold associated with a survival rate of less than 1 percent.
- She reached 3.19 kilograms by the time she was discharged six months later on Nov. 5.
- After birth, she received ventilator treatment and antibiotics for respiratory failure and septic shock.
- The rehabilitation medicine department provided oral and exercise rehabilitation every day during her recovery.
Lee Ye-rang, the smallest baby born in Korea, at 260 grams / Courtesy of Samsung Medical Center
Lee Ye-rang, a baby born with the lowest weight in Korea, was discharged in good health on Nov. 5, Samsung Medical Center said Thursday.
Ye-rang, who was only 260 grams when she was born on April 22, reached 3.19 kilograms when she was discharged six months later. She can also breathe on her own without the help of mechanical devices.
Ye-rang came three years after her parents' marriage but stopped growing after the 21st week of pregnancy.
Her mother was in a precarious situation, with her blood pressure soaring, while also showing symptoms of liver disease and pregnancy disorders such as preeclampsia, a hypertensive condition that jeopardizes both the mother and the baby.
High-risk maternal teams, including professor Oh Soo-young of the obstetrics and gynecology department at the center and clinical instructor Ham Soo-ji, prepared for a safe birth by administering magnesium to alleviate the symptoms of the baby's mother.
Ye-rang was born by cesarean section on April 22, four days after her mother was hospitalized. Immediately after birth, she needed high-intensity care, such as ventilator treatment and antibiotics, due to respiratory failure and septic shock.
The rehabilitation medicine department performed oral and exercise rehabilitation treatment every day, and the baby recovered over time.
A person born with less than 300 grams is known to have a survival rate of less than 1 percent.
"Ye-rang will be the hope of all low-weight premature babies born in the future," Jang Yoon-sil, head of the center, said. "We need everyone's attention and support to find more opportunities to save lives, even beyond medical limitations."
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