Curtis Means’ family and doctors were stunned when he survived delivery at only 21 weeks and one day gestation. The preemie is currently the world’s smallest surviving neonate, as confirmed by a Guinness World Record.
Curtis was deemed ready to return home on April 6, 2021, following 275 days (approximately nine months) of care by a large team at the R NICU and the Women and Infants Centre. Guinness World Records officially awarded Curtis the distinction of “world’s most premature infant to survive.” The hospital personnel that assisted in his care desired to honour Curtis’ journey by presenting the World Record to his mother.
Michelle struggled understandably when she went into labour far too early. She had given 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to twins, but unfortunately Curtis’ twin sister did not survive. No one expected Curtis to survive, but he quickly disproved their assumptions.
Curtis weighed only 420 grammes (14.8 ounces) as a neonate, about the same as a football.
Chelly told Guinness World Records in an exclusive interview, “The medical staff told me that they don’t typically keep babies at that age.” It was extremely worrisome.
Curtis and his family had spent so much time in the NICU that the carers and doctors knew them well. This group of heroes was willing to do whatever it took to save his life. Curtis’ doctors were astonished by his triumph over the odds. “Survival at such a young gestational age has never occurred before,” says Colm Travers, MD, Assistant Professor of Neonatology. Consequently, his chances of survival were less than 1% before he was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧.
Even though Michelle was grieving the death of her daughter and the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 of her son in the NICU, the resilient mother spent every available moment with Curtis.
“When I realised he was having a bad day, I went over to him, prayed, and placed my palms on his shoulders. When I am able to hold him, I do so for approximately five to six hours nonstop.” – Michelle Butler.
16 months old and eager to conquer the globe!
Curtis is progressing! You would never guess that this is the same 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 whose premature 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 shocked the world. Curtis, according to Michelle, had a sluggish start but is now babbling and attempting to walk.
The medical staff admired Curtis’s fighting character.
“We were all shocked and astonished. We were prepared for this voyage. We just knew in our hearts that this was the tiniest 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 we’d ever seen and that he was going home.” Sumita Grey, Registered Nurse/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse.
For the overwhelming majority of premature infants 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 at this stage, the likelihood of a prosperous future is vanishingly small. This makes Curtis’s recovery all the more remarkable.
Dr. Travers remarked, “The first thing that impressed me about Curtis was how small and delicate his skin was. I was astonished that he was alive and responding to treatment at such a tender age.”
“Initially, Curtis required a great deal of breathing support and medication for his heart and lungs to stay alive,” continued Dr. Travers.
Then, during the subsequent weeks, we were able to reduce the quantity of support… At about three months of age, we were able to remove him from the ventilator. That was a memorable occasion for me.
“We felt fortunate to have cared for him and his mother during his departure. It is a blessing to care for these tiny individuals.”
“After all that his mother had endured… and the months of not knowing what was going to happen, I was so happy for her that Curtis was able to return home and that he was recognised [by Guinness World Records] for all she had done to advocate for him and give him a chance.”
Curtis and his mother reached an extraordinary milestone at the celebration.
“To see everyone…it meant the world to us…It was simply overwhelming…a lot of happiness. – Curtis mothe
