Post date: Jan 21, 2012 1:12:35 PM
The world's third smallest baby, initially weighing 9.5 ounces, has made enough progress to be released from a Los Angeles hospital.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 20, 2012) (REUTERS) - One of the smallest babies ever born was discharged Friday (January 20) from a Los Angeles hospital, almost five months after entering the world weighing only 9.5 ounces.
"I'm just happy that she's doing well and that she's doing better than she was before," mother Haydee Ibarra said. "I'm happy that I'm finally going to take her home."
Melinda Star Guido was born Aug. 30 -- 16 weeks early. County health officials said that according to Global Birth Registry figures, Melinda was the third-smallest baby ever born, weighing less than a can of soda, and about the same as two iPhones.
She spent the ensuing months in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where she celebrated what was originally supposed to be her birthday, Dec. 15.
Dr. Rangasamy Ramanathan, chief of the neonatology section of the hospital, said last month he wasn't sure initially if Melinda was going to survive beyond a few days. In the weeks since, however, she has grown in size to 4 pounds, 11 ounces.
Doctors will continue to monitor Melinda for the next six years since it is still too early to tell how she will develop mentally and physically.