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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can A Premature Baby Survive For 41 Minutes?

I went into labor at 21 weeks. My cervix wasnt strong enough to hold my baby full term. My baby was 11inches and 13.6ounces. Because he was so little and i was not further along, laws state that doctors could not help him. So they let me hold him until his heart stopped beating. He lived for 41 minutes. My question is, is it possible for a baby of his size that was born at 21weeks able to live for 41 minutes? If so how is this possible?
Fri, 13 May 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

I am sorry to hear that you have to go through a premature labor. Hope you are coping well.
To answer your question, the lungs of premature baby are very poorly developed (technically very less surfactant) -so the baby can breath for a few minutes to some hours maybe, but then the cardiopulmonary system gives up, and the baby succumbs. If the baby is atleast a minumum of 650 grams (also depends on various other factors, like lung maturity, developmental assessment of various sytems, absense of heart and other gestational developmental problems), the neonatologist may make a judgemental decision,after discussion with the parents, to give assisted care, till baby reaches term. If baby is less than 600 grams, the available medical didactic is not developed to support its survival to term.

Hope this helps.
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How Can A Premature Baby Survive For 41 Minutes?

Hi, I am sorry to hear that you have to go through a premature labor. Hope you are coping well. To answer your question, the lungs of premature baby are very poorly developed (technically very less surfactant) -so the baby can breath for a few minutes to some hours maybe, but then the cardiopulmonary system gives up, and the baby succumbs. If the baby is atleast a minumum of 650 grams (also depends on various other factors, like lung maturity, developmental assessment of various sytems, absense of heart and other gestational developmental problems), the neonatologist may make a judgemental decision,after discussion with the parents, to give assisted care, till baby reaches term. If baby is less than 600 grams, the available medical didactic is not developed to support its survival to term. Hope this helps.