A 1-year-old boy named Nash who lives in Iowa City, Iowa, has earned a place in medical history — and the Guinness World Records — as the most premature baby to survive.
Born at just 21 weeks of gestation at the University of Iowa HealthCare, Nash arrived 133 days ahead of his due date and has since surpassed expectations in both health and spirit, KSLA 12 reported.
His parents, Mollie and Randall Keen, describe Nash — affectionately nicknamed “Nash Potatoes”— as cheerful, expressive, and full of personality.
“He’s such a happy kid,” his mother said in an interview with Guinness World Records. “I rarely see him cry.”
His early arrival followed a period of heartache; the Keens had previously lost a daughter during pregnancy in 2023. When they discovered they were expecting again, just months later, they hoped the new pregnancy would proceed without complications.
By the 20th week, however, signs of preterm labor had already begun. The family turned to University of Iowa HealthCare, where medical professionals assessed the situation with measured concern. At that stage of development, survival statistics were grim.
“I vividly remember the conversation with the parents when I told them his chance of survival is 0%,” recalled Dr. Patrick McNamara, who was part of the team managing Nash’s care, KSLA 12 reported. “When you’ve never had anyone survive at 21 weeks, that’s what the data says at that gestational age.”
Nash was born on July 5, 2024, weighing just 10 ounces. His medical team worked swiftly to stabilize him, uncertain whether equipment designed for premature infants would be effective for a baby of his size.
“Because of our [previous loss], we at that point just accepted what could happen, but we just wanted to give Nash a chance,” Mollie Keen said in the interview.
Nash spent months in intensive neonatal care, steadily growing and reaching critical developmental milestones.
“Life is amazing,” Randall Keen said in the interview. “My son was 10 ounces, and now he’s over seventeen pounds.”
According to Guinness World Records, Nash’s survival surpassed the previous record for prematurity by just one day. While he continues to receive care — including oxygen support, a feeding tube, and hearing aids for mild hearing loss — he’s making steady progress. He attends a specialized medical daycare for therapy and returns regularly to his care team in Iowa City for follow-up visits.
Looking back, Mollie Keen said the past year reshaped her understanding of strength.
“These tiny babies are so strong and so resilient,” she said. “But so are we. You don’t realize how strong you are until you’re in a situation like that.”
“Mollie is a rock,” Randall Keen said, recalling her strength through both their loss and Nash’s birth. “If anyone in this world was meant to be a mother, it’s Mollie.”
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Author: Rachel Quackenbush
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