PRO-LIFE NEWS IN BRIEF.(tiniest surviving baby born in hospital)

Tiniest Surviving Baby Born in Illinois Hospital

The world's tiniest surviving premature baby, born weighing 8.6 ounces at only 26 weeks, is expected to leave Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois, in early January. Rumaisa Rahman and her twin sister Hiba were born September 19, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The twins' mother, Mahajabeen Shaik, suffered from pre-eclampsia during her pregnancy, a condition with high blood pressure that endangers both mother and unborn babies, according to the AP.

Doctors decided to deliver the babies in an emergency Caesarean section to prevent severe complications that were beginning to develop, the Los Angeles Times reported. Hiba weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces at birth, more than double her sister's size.

"We were a little surprised at just how small Rumaisa was, but pleased to see that she was vigorous and seemed to be getting a good start," said obstetrician William MacMillan at a December 21 news conference, according to Agence France-Presse.

The babies needed laser surgery to correct vision problems often found in premature babies, Agence France-Presse reported. Subsequent tests have shown no further complications.

Rumaisa, who weighed 2 pounds, 10 ounces at the end of December, was expected to go home during the first week of January. Hiba, at a healthy 5 pounds, went home with her parents at the end of December.