Curtis Zy-Keith Means, from the United States, holds the Guinness World Record as the most premature baby ever to survive. Born at just 21 weeks and 1 day of gestational age, Curtis arrived 132 days prematurely on July 5, 2020, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital in Alabama. Against overwhelming odds and with less than a 1% chance of survival, Curtis has defied all expectations and celebrates his fourth birthday today.
At birth, Curtis weighed only 420 grams (14.8 ounces), roughly the weight of an American football. A recent photograph shows him proudly holding his Guinness World Records certificate, a testament to his remarkable journey from survival to thriving.
Curtis’ mother, Michelle Butler, recalled her pregnancy in an interview with Guinness World Records, stating that everything had been progressing well until her sudden labor. “I thought I was going to carry them all the way up until my due date,” she shared. Brian Sims, a professor of pediatrics at the UAB Division of Neonatology, described Curtis’ birth as a complete shock. “I was called by my obstetrical colleagues to talk to Michelle about the poor prognosis of babies born at 21 weeks and one day,” he explained.
Curtis faced significant medical challenges from the start. He was placed on a ventilator for three months to support his breathing and required medications to strengthen his heart and lungs. After nine months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Curtis was discharged, still requiring oxygen support via a nasal cannula. Dr. Sims recalled the excitement surrounding his discharge, stating, “Curtis was a special young man, and there was something unique about him.”
While Curtis’ journey is a story of hope and resilience, it is also marked by loss. His twin sister, C’Aysa, tragically did not survive. Despite this heartache, Michelle championed Curtis’ fight for life, advocating fiercely for her son. “She was a champion for her baby, and I’m so thankful we listened to her,” said Dr. Sims.
Today, Curtis weighs 33 pounds (14.9 kg) and enjoys playing with his toys and watching his favorite cartoon, Mickey Mouse. Michelle describes her son’s record-setting survival as a “blessing” and is “very proud” of how far he has come. Curtis’ story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of unwavering maternal love.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0