From Darkness to Light: The Extraordinary Birth of the World's Most Premature Baby at 21 Weeks

Curtis Means’ family and physicians were taken aback when he survived being delivered at only 21 weeks and one day. The tiny premie is presently the world’s tiniest surviving newborn, with a Guinness World Record to prove it.

After 275 days (about nine months) of being looked after by a huge team at the R NICU and the wider Women and Infants Center, it was determined that Curtis was fit enough to go home on 6 April 2021. Curtis was officially given the title of ‘world’s most premature infant to survive’ by Guinness World Records. The hospital staff that helped care for him wanted to honor Curtis’ journey by presenting his mom with the World Record.

It was understandably difficult for Michelle when she went into labor far too early. She had given 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to twins but sadly, Curtis’ twin sister didn’t make it. No one expected Curtis to pull through but he soon proved them wrong.

As a newborn, Curtis weighed only 420 g (14.8 oz), which is about the same as a soccer ball.

“The medical staff told me that they don’t normally keep babies at that age,” Chelly told Guinness World Records in an exclusive interview. “It was very stressful.”

Curtis and his family had spent so many days in the NICU that the nurses and physicians were familiar with them. This group of heroes was prepared to go to any length to rescue his life. Curtis’ physicians were astounded when he overcame the odds. “Survival at such a small gestational age has never happened before, thus his odds of survival were less than 1% before he was delivered,” says Colm Travers, MD, Assistant Professor of Neonatology.

Even though Michelle was dealing with the loss of her daughter and her son in the NICU, the strong mom spent every moment she could with Curtis.

“When I knew that he wasn’t having a good day, I just go over there to him, pray and hold my hands over him. The days I was able to hold him, I hold him till about 5-6 hours straight.” – Michelle Butler.

16 months old and ready to take on the world!

Curtis is making strides! You would never know this is the same little boy that was shocking the world with his early arrival. Michelle says that Curtis had a bit of a slow start but is now babbling and trying to walk.

The medical team was in awe of Curtis’ fighting spirit.

“We were all in shock we were all amazed. We were ready to take on this journey. We just knew in our heart that this is the smallest 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 we’ve seen and we were going to see him go home.” – Sumita Gray, R N/ NICU Nurse.

For the vast majority of preterm babies born this early on, the chances of a long-term future are vanishingly slim. This is what makes Curtis’ recovery all the more exceptional.

Dr. Travers said: “The first thing that struck me when I saw Curtis was how tiny he was, how fragile his skin was. I was amazed at such a young age that he was alive and that he was responding to the treatments.”

“Initially Curtis was on a lot of breathing support and medication for his heart and lungs to keep him alive,” Dr. Travers continued.

“Then over the next several weeks, we were able to decrease the amount of support… When he was about three months old, we were finally able to take him off the ventilator. That was a special moment for me.

“We felt blessed to have been able to care for him and his mother while he was leaving. Taking care of these small individuals is such a blessing.”

“After all that his mother had gone through… and the months of not knowing what was going to happen, I was so thrilled for her that Curtis was able to return home and that he was recognized [by Guinness World Records] for everything she had done to campaign for him and give him a chance.”