World's Most Premature Baby Celebrates First Birthday

Photo: uihc.org

ANKENY, Iowa — Nash Keen, born at just 21 weeks and weighing only 10 ounces, marked his first birthday on July 5, 2025, meeting the Guinness World Records threshold and becoming the titleholder for the most premature baby to survive. His birth at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital pushed the boundaries of neonatal care, with experts providing lifesaving measures for the child who was just big enough for the smallest equipment.

Nash’s journey began in tragedy after his parents, Randall and Mollie Keen, lost their first child, McKinley, at 18 weeks due to Mollie’s diagnosed incompetent cervix. Six months later, Mollie became pregnant with Nash, but early dilation at 20 weeks led to fears of another loss. An online support group connected the family to Iowa City’s NICU, one of the few in the world treating 21-week infants.

On July 5, 2024 - less than 10 hours past the medically assigned viability mark - high-risk obstetrician Dr. Malinda Schaefer delivered Nash. Despite the near-zero chance of survival, neonatologists were able to stabilize him with specialized equipment and advanced hemodynamic care, a precision technique pioneered at Iowa that improves survival for extremely premature babies.

Over the next 189 days, Nash faced multiple health crises, including surgery for a perforated bowel, but continued to recover. He was discharged in January 2025 and now receives regular follow-ups for his heart and lung health. His care team hopes that by the time he starts kindergarten, few will guess he was born so early.

“I just hope that Nash realizes just how loved he is and how many people have cheered him on from the very beginning,” said his mother, Mollie. “I want him to grow up and be healthy, happy, and confident in who he is. I want him to see his story as a source of strength."

A more detailed story on Nash can be found at the University of Iowa Health Care website.

Previously, UOJ reported on the story of Steventhen Holland: an author, singer-songwriter, motivational speaker, and pro-life advocate who uses his personal story - marked by trauma, survival, and redemption - to inspire others and defend the unborn.

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