Medical Staff Moved to Tears... '330g Extremely Premature Baby' Returns to Parents' Arms After 5 Months

Weight at Discharge Was 3.64 kg

A newborn baby born as an extremely premature infant (extremely low birth weight) weighing 330g overcame sepsis and other complications thanks to the persistent efforts of medical staff and returned home healthy to their parents.

On the 28th, Chungnam National University Hospital in Daejeon announced that Haneul-i (5 months old, pseudonym), who was born at 24 weeks of pregnancy on May 13 weighing only 330g, recently completed neonatal intensive care and was discharged in good health. At the time of discharge, the baby weighed 3.64 kg.

Haneul being discharged from the hospital. [Image courtesy of Chungnam National University Hospital]

The mother’s condition worsened due to HELLP syndrome, requiring Haneul-i to be delivered earlier than the due date. HELLP syndrome is a pregnancy complication characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme levels, and low platelet count, which can damage multiple organs including the liver. As a result, Haneul-i, born prematurely, underwent resuscitation including endotracheal intubation immediately after birth and has been maintained on a ventilator.

At the end of May, Haneul-i faced a critical moment with sepsis but overcame it well. Since the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery, did not close immediately after birth, a successful surgery to close the patent ductus arteriosus was performed in June. From September, Haneul-i spent one hour each day with family in the neonatal intensive care unit before being discharged this time.

Professor Kang Mihyun, the attending pediatrician, said, "I was deeply moved many times watching this little hero overcome every crisis, big and small." She added, "I am grateful to the parents who never lost hope and cared for Haneul-i until the end, and I also want to express my gratitude to the neonatal intensive care unit medical staff who did their best." Dr. Yoo Sunyoung, the hospitalist who also treated Haneul-i, said, "I am truly thankful to Haneul-i for growing up safely. This is a gift I will never forget in my life."

Netizens who heard the news expressed various reactions such as "The baby who overcame it well is admirable," "To survive with such a tiny body is amazing and must have been very hard," "Brave baby, I will pray that you overcome any difficulties ahead and grow up healthy and wonderful," "Thank you all for your hard work. Haneul-i, stay healthy," and "Haneul-i, the parents, and the medical staff worked so hard. Congratulations on the discharge."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.