A baby born prematurely at 21 weeks and 1 day, the youngest in the world, has celebrated his first birthday. The baby weighed only 330 grams at birth and faced numerous health challenges. Doctors initially gave the baby little chance of survival. The baby has overcome significant odds and is now thriving.
5 months ago
Nash Keen, born on July 5, 2024, at just 21 weeks' gestation and 133 days early, has celebrated his first birthday, becoming the Guinness World Record holder for the most premature baby to survive 2 3 4. Weighing only about 10 ounces and measuring a little over eight inches long, Nash was so tiny his mother could barely feel his weight when she held him 2 3. His survival was considered highly improbable, as no baby born at this early stage had previously lived 2 3.
Nash's parents, Mollie and Randall Keen, faced immense fear and devastation, having previously lost their first baby, McKinley, at 18 weeks' gestation two years prior 2 3. Mollie was diagnosed with cervical incompetence, a condition causing the cervix to open prematurely, and also has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which complicates conception 2 3. Despite the grim prognosis, Mollie stated she "never lost hope for Nash" 2 3.
Upon discovering Mollie was two centimeters dilated at 20 weeks, the couple rushed to the emergency room where Mollie was advised to go on bed rest to delay labor 2 3. Their goal was to reach the 21-week mark, as the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, where Nash was born, is one of the few facilities globally equipped to provide life-saving care for babies born this early 2 3. Nash was born just hours after reaching the 21-week milestone 2 3.
Dr. Amy Stanford, the neonatologist overseeing Nash's care, noted that the first hours and days are the most critical for extremely premature babies 2 3. Nash was fortunate to be just large enough for the necessary breathing and intravenous tubes, allowing his condition to stabilize after the breathing tube was placed 2 3. He spent 189 days in the hospital, cared for by a team of over 30 staff members 2 3.
During his extensive stay, Nash faced significant challenges, including drops in vital signs due to immature lungs and heart, and a perforated bowel surgery with a high mortality rate 2 3. Despite these setbacks, he showed remarkable resilience, and doctors began to feel more confident in his chances of going home around the one-month mark 2 3 4.
Nash was discharged from the hospital in early 2025 2 3. His first birthday celebration in Ankeny, Iowa, was a joyous occasion with family and friends, featuring cake and numerous gifts 2 3. His parents affectionately call him "Nash Potato" and describe him as "determined, curious, and the happiest baby you’ll meet" 2 3 4.
While Nash still has ongoing health issues, including a minor heart defect expected to resolve with age, and has experienced delays in typical developmental milestones, doctors are optimistic about his cognitive function as he did not suffer any brain bleeds in the NICU 2 3. Mollie Keen expressed that the past year has been "surreal" and a "victory," hoping Nash's story will be a source of strength and inspire hope for other families facing similar medical challenges 2 3 4.
What is the Church's teaching on the dignity of human life?
The Catholic Church teaches that human life is sacred and possesses inviolable dignity from the moment of conception until natural death . This teaching is rooted in the belief that every human person is willed by God for their own sake, created in His image and likeness, and remains in a special relationship with the Creator .
The Church consistently proclaims the sacred and inviolable character of every human life . This means that no one can, under any circumstance, claim the right to directly destroy an innocent human being . This moral judgment applies to the origins of life, even before implantation in the mother's womb .
The Church's "no" to certain scientific advances, such as destructive research on human embryos or human cloning, is not a negative reaction to modernity but rather a positive "yes" to the dignity of every single human being . It is a defense of those who are most vulnerable, who have no voice, and no one else to defend them . The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the embryo must be treated as a person from conception, defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed like any other human being .
The right to life is considered the most basic and fundamental right, serving as the condition for all other personal rights . Without the defense of the right to life, other outcries for human rights, such as the right to health, home, work, family, and culture, are false and illusory . All life issues are interconnected, and a diminished respect for the life of any individual or group in society necessarily diminishes respect for all life . The Church also emphasizes the positive duty to contribute to the common good and to act in solidarity with those in need, addressing basic needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, education, and meaningful work .
In summary, the Church's teaching on the dignity of human life is a foundational principle, asserting that every human life is sacred from conception to natural death due to its divine origin, its reflection of God's image, and its inherent worth independent of any other factors. This dignity demands unwavering respect and protection, especially for the most vulnerable, and forms the basis for all other human rights and the pursuit of the common good.