A baby born in the United Arab Emirates at just 22 weeks and five days has been allowed home after 129 days in hospital.
Born at Dubai’s King’s College Hospital London, Talia weighed only 400 grams and needing breathing support. She was given a 30 per cent chance of survival, but gradually put on weight and grew stronger, with no signs of any brain damage.
In Britain, abortion is available for most reasons up to 24 weeks, the age at which babies are deemed to be ‘viable’ outside the womb.
’Grateful’
Mum Jade said: “Our little warrior, Talia, has shown us what strength, courage, and faith really mean.
“We spent four months by her side in the NICU, holding on to hope through every moment. We learned how to love through wires, alarms, and uncertainty. How to smile while our hearts were breaking. The NICU changed us completely”.
She explained that Talia “grew stronger each day until she was finally able to come home.” Adding: “We will always be grateful to the team who stood with us through it all. We were never alone. The team cared for our baby with so much patience and compassion. We will always be grateful.”
Excellent outcomes
Dr Maria Theresa Reyes, a Consultant Neonatologist at the hospital, explained: “This was a baby born at the very limits of what is considered viable”.
She noted: “We have had several 23-week infants weighing around 500 grams with excellent outcomes. Talia is our first 22-week infant, weighing just 400 grams. She is the smallest 22-weeker ever reported in the UAE.”
Angus Saul, Head of Communications at the Christian Institute, said: “Every story like Talia’s is wonderful, and they highlight the absurdity of the current abortion law in the UK. With constantly developing technology, greater numbers of premature babies are surviving and thriving.”
He continued: “But while we could debate changing abortion law to match this new line of viability, the reality remains that every human life is deserving of protection, no matter how small.”
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