'Miracle Baby' Comes Home: Born At Just 10 Ounces

Weighing in at just 10 ounces when she was born, E'Layah Faith Pergues came 14 weeks early. Doctors were uncertain if she would make it.

"Our goal since her birth was to grow her as quickly and as safely as we could," said Dr. Andrew Herman, MD, neonatologist and chief medical officer at Levine Children's Hospital in a statement. The doctors combined both formula and breast milk to help her grow and stay healthy. 

Now she has reached 5 pounds, 7 ounces, at five months and is spending her first full day at home, according to ABC News. 

Once dubbed the "tater tot" due to her small size--and as one of the smallest surviving babies ever seen at a hospital, according to doctors--she has outgrown her preemie clothes and is much stronger, at nearly 10 times her birth weight.

Her premature birth and low weight come as the result of mom Megan Smith's high blood pressure during pregnancy, along with two strokes she suffered during the time according to Value Walk. Even though Smith was on bed rest for over two months, doctors decided to perform an emergency Cesarean section when they found that E'Layah was no longer moving inside the womb. 

"She is a very busy little lady, always grabbing and pulling things and moving around," Smith said. "We are all very excited to be going home. It's been a long journey and we are looking forward to the next chapter."

Related Articles

India Welcomes It's Biggest Newborn At 13 Pounds

Missouri 3-Year-Old 'Miracle' Toddler Recovers After Almost Drowning

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).