(26 Jan 2012) HEADLINE: Tiny baby leaves LA hospital amid fanfare
CAPTION: One of the world's smallest surviving babies was discharged from an LA hospital Friday. Doctors are cautiously optimistic that she'll develop normally. The baby and her parents got the Hollywood treatment when they introduced her to reporters. (Jan. 20)
[Location: Los Angeles, CA - January 20, 2012]
[Source: AP]
It's the moment every new parent dreams of -- bringing their brand new baby out into the world.
[photogs and cameras crowd stroller, parents, nurses and infant]
But this baby is different. As one of the smallest babies ever born, Melinda Star Ibarra got true "star" treatment when she left the hospital.
No one was happier to see her go outside for the first time than her parents, Haydee Ibarra and Yovani Guido. Ibarra had a stillborn once before and suffered from high blood pressure during her pregnancy. Her daughter was born at only 24 weeks and weighed only 9 and a half ounces -- a third of the size of a normal newborn. She's still on oxygen but she's finally going home.
[SOT/Haydee Ibarra, Mother] "It's a very big miracle. I'm just happy she's here. I knew that she was gonna make it. She's a survivor. She's a fighter. " :08
For almost 5 months, they trekked to the neonatal intensive care unit, to feed and hold Melinda. Caring for her challenged the medical staff at LA County-USC Hospital. They didn't have instruments small enough to put a breathing tube in her narrow windpipe. But the baby battled for her life, underwent surgery, fought off infections, learned to take a bottle and grew to 4 and a half pounds.
[SOT/ Dr. Rangasamy Ramanathan, Neonatologist] "This doesn't happen every day. In my 30 years here, this is the first time we've been able to discharge a baby who weighed less than 300, 400 grams. So don't expect to do miracles every day." :??
Doctors say they can't find any damage to Melinda's brain, eyes or hearing, but problems could emerge later on.
[SOT/ Dr. Rangasamy Ramanathan, Neonatologist] "The baby had a complicated course in the ICU, stayed almost 5 months with us. So all these things are going to impact the long term development. The good news is the baby is doing what she's supposed to do: feed, look around and gain weight." :20
[STANDUP/Raquel Maria Dillon, Associated Press] "Melinda will be going home to a brand new nursery that's decorated with ladybugs, grandparents who are happy to meet their first grandchild, and lots of aunts and uncles who want to help out, care for the tiny baby."
Her mother says she hopes little Melinda get chubby and won't
say they're hoping for the best and eager to begin life as a family.
RMD, the AP, LA.
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