Nash Keen, born July 5, 2024. He has since gained international media attention for previously being the world’s most premature baby, a record officially recognized by Guinness World Records. He entered the world weighing less than a pound after being born at 21 weeks of gestation. At just 10 oz, he was born at the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. His unexpected very early arrival surprised everyone by being 133 days early. The reaction from medical professionals and family members alike was one of fear and wonder.
Mollie Keen and Randall Keen, Nash’s parents, were up against impossible odds when their son was born. McNamara, one of Nash’s doctors, had said his chances of survival were 0%. This judgment was based on limited data from a cohort of only 2,000 infants born at this extreme early age. Even so, for all of these dire expectations, Nash has shown himself to be the scrapper, exhibiting a ton of spirit and a feisty character.
Characterized as a spitfire with a larger than life personality, Nash is the baby you see smiling, thriving, and beating the odds. His journey from the neonatal intensive care unit to celebrating his first birthday is an amazing achievement for the Keen family. Second, it serves as an inspiration for other families around the country who are facing similar struggles.
A baby born at 40 weeks is deemed full-term, while babies born at less than 26 weeks are known as micro-preemies. Nash’s unbelievable miracle survival story has launched discussions about how far neonatal care has advanced. The focus of these debates is the possibility of better outcomes for babies born extremely preterm.
As Nash blew out the candles on his first birthday cake, the Keen family couldn’t help but marvel at how far they had come together. They gave an emotional thank you to the medical staff that carried them through this difficult moment. In particular, they wanted to recognize and thank Dr. McNamara and his associates at the University of Iowa Health Care.
You could feel the excitement from the family as they celebrated this historic milestone. Surrounded by their family and friends, they welcomed Nash’s birth. They celebrated his amazing progress and the happiness he’s brought into their lives.
