A baby from the US who was born 131 days before his due date, has celebrated his first birthday. Richard Hutchinson was born on June 5, 2020, at the Minneapolis children’s hospital after his mother suffered medical complications forcing her into early labour.
The ‘preemie’ was given a zero per cent chance of survival after he was born five months ahead of schedule, and according to ABC News, Hutchinson was so tiny he could fit in the palms of his parents’ hands. At the time of his birth, he weighed just over 300 grams and remained in hospital for six months as he was extremely weak, News 24.
However, the boy’s parents were unable to stay overnight at the hospital due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they managed to travel from their home in Wisconsin to visit their baby every day for six months.
The infant then made a full recovery and was discharged from the intensive care unit and sent home in December 2020. On his birthday the Guinness World Records recognised Richard as the most premature baby to survive. According to the boy’s father, their daily visits helped his son get through because he knew his family is around.
Picture: Cape Town etc gallery