GUINNESS ALERT: WORLD’S MOST PREMATURE TRIPLETS CELEBRATE SECOND BIRTHDAY, BREAK TWO RECORDS

The triplets celebrate their second birthday (Source: Guinness World Records.com)

Three sisters -- Rubi-Rose, Payton-Jane, and Porscha-Mae Hopkins -- born as preemies, broke two Guinness World Records for being the lightest and most premature triplets to survive, as they celebrated their second birthday.

Born 121 days early, at a gestational age of 22 weeks 5 days on February 14, 2021, the sisters weighed a combined 1.28 kg (2.83 lb). The trio spent 216 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.

According to Guinness World Records.com, they are dizygotic triplets, meaning Rubi-Rose has a unique genetic makeup whilst Payton-Jane and Porscha-Mae are identical twins.

“The whole journey between finding out that they were triplets and then actually being here was I think the quickest pregnancy I’ve ever known,” said the triplets’ father, Jason Hopkins.

Their mother Michaela White found out she was 19 weeks pregnant with three babies during the first ultrasound scan. Just three weeks later, she gave birth to them, noted the site.

“I was contracting but the baby wasn’t coming out," Michaela said, Guinness reported.

Rubi-Rose was born first, at 10:33 a.m., weighing 467 g (1 lb). She was swaddled in a polythene wrapping which acted as a makeshift womb, reducing heat loss and the risk of hypothermia, noted Guinness.

After Rubi-Rose's birth, Michaela was rushed to the operating theatre for an emergency C-section. Payton-Jane and Porscha-Mae were delivered at 12:01 and 12:02 p.m. respectively, one and a half hours after their sister. Payton-Jane weighed 402 g (0.89 lb); Porscha-Mae was 415 g (0.91 oz).

According to the Guinness World Records statement, the triplets were placed into separate incubators after they were born. Each baby was required to breathe independently for 10 seconds before the medical staff would intervene to provide oxygen.

The happy Hopkins family pose with the record certificates (Source: Guinness World Records.com)

Let's understand more about premature deliveries.

Premature delivery is defined as giving birth before 37 weeks of gestation as against the full term of 40 weeks. According to Dr R D Srivastava, Head of Department and senior consultant, pediatric medicine and neonatology, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi, premature delivery can be caused by a variety of factors, including maternal health problems, infections, multiple pregnancies, and certain lifestyle factors. Premature delivery poses a significant risk to the health of the newborn and can have lifelong consequences, said Dr Srivastava.

What may raise the risk of premature deliveries?

According to Dr Shobha Gupta, medical director and IVF specialist from Mother's Lap IVF Centre New Delhi and Vrindavan, some health problems can raise the risk of premature birth, such as:

*Problems with the uterus, cervix or placenta.

*Some infections, mainly those of the amniotic fluid and lower genital tract.

*Ongoing health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

*Injuries or trauma to the body.

Also Read |Mediterranean diet during pregnancy may lower gestational diabetes risk: Study

Dr Gupta also expressed that lifestyle choices can also raise the risk of a preterm pregnancy, such as:

*Smoking cigarettes, taking illicit drugs or drinking alcohol often or heavily while pregnant.

*Being underweight or overweight before pregnancy.

*Becoming pregnant before the age of 17 or after 35.

*Going through stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one or domestic violence.

According to the Guinness World Records statement, the triplets were placed into separate incubators after they were born (Source: Guinness World Records.com)

Risks associated with preemies

The risks associated with premature delivery depend on the gestational age of the baby at birth. "Extremely premature infants, born before 28 weeks, are at the highest risk of complications, including respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, brain hemorrhages, and developmental delays. Premature infants are also at increased risk of long-term health problems such as cerebral palsy, hearing and vision loss, and learning and behavioral difficulties," said Dr Srivastava.

Also Read |Simple tips to take care of the nutritional needs of preterm babies

however, not all babies born pre mature have health complications but being born too early can cause short-term and long-term complications, noted Dr Gupta.

"Short-term complications like breathing problems, heart problems, brain issues, digestive problems, metabolism issues etc while long-term complications includes cerebral palsy, vision problems, learning issues, not able to hear properly, behavioral and mental problems," said Dr Gupta.

What does life-long care like?

Dr Srivastava said life-long care for premature infants can be "complex and challenging". "Depending on the extent of their medical needs, premature infants may require ongoing medical care, including specialist appointments, medications, and therapies. Some may require surgery or other procedures to address complications related to premature birth. Early intervention programs, such as physical therapy and speech therapy, can help to address developmental delays and disabilities," he said.

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2023-03-30T04:46:23Z dg43tfdfdgfd