A SUPER-LIGHT premature baby girl, weighing 480 grams when she was born in October last year, was discharged from the hospital after seven months of treatment at Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital on Wednesday.

    The mother, surnamed Chen, who had been pregnant for five months, delivered the girl Oct. 21 last year. The palm-sized baby was born in a critical condition as she was less than 500 grams and her organs were underdeveloped. The hospital set up a team to make up a daily treatment plan for the baby.

    During the seven months of treatment, which were full of hardships, the baby overcame challenges such as infections, breathing difficulties, and circulation disturbances as well as nutrition supplement and nervous system damage.

    “We have received a dozen critical condition notices, but thanks to the efforts of medical employees and her strong vitality, she is miraculously surviving,” said the father.

    Medical statistics show that premature babies born within 28 weeks of pregnancy and weighing less than 1,000 grams have a high risk of fatality and disabilities. The survival rate of babies born within 24 weeks of pregnancy and weighing less than 500 grams is much lower.

    “The 28-centimeter long premature baby, weighing 480 grams and born within 23 weeks of pregnancy, set a record in China and is one of the highest risk babies to be saved by a Shenzhen hospital, “ said Yang Chuanzhong, a doctor and head of the treatment team.

    The baby now weighs 3,100 grams. All of her medical indexes meet standards for discharge from the hospital, according to Yang.

    The hospital helps deliver 1,800 preemies a year. In 2016 alone, it treated 90 premature babies who were born within 28 weeks of pregnancy or weighed less than 1,000 grams. Ninety percent of them survived, which is a much higher rate than the country’s average of between 50 and 60 percent, according to Yao Jilong, head of the hospital.

    (Han Ximin)