Preemie triplets celebrated as world record breakers

The world’s lightest and most premature triplets to survive have been officially recognised by Guinness World Records.

Born at 22 weeks and five days, at a combined weight of just 2lb and 13oz (1.28 kg), Rubi-Rose, Payton-Jane and Porscha-Mae celebrated their second birthday last month.

The triplets were discharged from Bristol’s Southmead Hospital after 216 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and according to mum Michaela have “come on leaps” since.

Spreading awareness

Michaela told Guinness World Records: “I found out when I was 19 weeks pregnant, at my first scan, that I was pregnant with triplets, and had them three weeks and five days later”.

She went on to describe the birth as “traumatic”, with dad Jason recalling, “we had, I think it was about 22 different nurses and doctors in the room at the time”, four for each child, the remainder to care for Michaela.

Reflecting on their NICU experience, Michaela said: “They’ve got a lot more now to help children that are born so early”, and the couple are keen to “spread the awareness” of this.

All three children were born with cerebral palsy, the two younger girls affected more severely, but their mum said: “Since they’ve come out of hospital. They’ve just sprung and their health is improving.”

Viability

In Britain, abortion is effectively available for any reason up to 24 weeks, the age at which babies are deemed to be ‘viable’ outside the womb.

It wasn’t until 2019 that the British Association of Perinatal Medicine updated guidance to advise that it is possible for doctors to save the lives of children born at 22 weeks. Previously, it stated that they had no chance of survival.

Last year, the UK’s youngest surviving premature twins, who were given a “zero chance of survival”, celebrated their first birthday.

Viability

The new record for triplets follows the recent recognition by Guinness World Records of the world’s lightest and most premature twins to survive.

Adiah and Adrial Nadarajah, who were born in Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital 126 days early, weighing just 11.6 oz and 14.8 oz respectively, have just celebrated their first birthday.

Dad Kevin reflected: “Amidst all that scenario of being told that the chance of survival is pretty much zero per cent” and the chance of “significant disability is really high, we were just clinging to our hope and faith trusting in God”.

He added: “We’re amazed that our twins have the record title, but beyond that I think what we’re really happy about and passionate about is that this is going to help push the dialogue on viability.”