A micro-preemie who was born at just 21 weeks — and who has been named by Guinness World Records as the youngest preemie ever born — has celebrated his first birthday.
Key Takeaways:
- Baby Nash Keen was born 133 days premature and has been named by Guinness World Records as the youngest-ever preemie to survive.
- Keen spent 182 days in the NICU and recently celebrated his first birthday at home with his family.
- Live Action News has also shared the story of Jemarius Jachin Harbor Jr., who was born in 2019 just after reaching the 21-week mark — the same gestation as Nash.
The Details:
On July 5, 2024, baby Nash Keen was born at exactly 21 weeks of gestation — 133 days before his due date. It’s a milestone that Guinness World Records says makes him the youngest preemie ever to survive.
His parents, Mollie and Randall, suffered the devastating loss of Nash’s big sister when she was miscarried at 18 weeks, and Mollie was heartbroken when she started having contractions at 20 weeks while pregnant with Nash. At a doctor’s visit, her midwife discovered she was already two centimeters dilated.
“We were devastated. We thought we were going through the exact same thing, and we thought we were going to lose this baby,” Mollie told the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital (UIHC) in Iowa City, where Nash was born. “At that point, I didn’t know what I could do to turn things around.”
She turned to an online support group searching for answers, where she connected with a NICU mom who informed her that if she could get to UIHC — and make it to 21 weeks — doctors there were equipped to help her baby. Mollie was determined to do everything she could for her son. “I had to get to Iowa City,” she told Guinness World Records.
Mollie did make it to the hospital, and Nash was born just 10 hours after he crossed the 21-week threshold at which the NICU specialists would help him.
“Had Nash been born just 10 hours earlier, he wouldn’t be here,” Mollie said.
After birth, he immediately needed to be resuscitated — something doctors aren’t always able to do with a baby his size.
“Sometimes babies born at 21 weeks are just too small for even our tiniest breathing tubes and intravenous lines,” said neonatologist Dr. Amy Stanford. “Our NICU team assessed Nash, and I was able to place a breathing tube. Once we had the breathing tube in, his heart rate stabilized and his oxygen levels were good.”
Over the next few weeks, he had a total of four surgeries. In all, he spent 182 days in the NICU before being discharged to go home with his family. His parents recently celebrated his first birthday, and both told Guinness World Records how much joy he brings to their lives.
“He’s a ham,” Randall said, smiling. “Life is amazing. My son was 10 ounces, and now he’s over 17 pounds.”
“He’s just a happy kid,” added Mollie. “He’s truly the best thing that ever happened to us.”
Remarkably, Nash may not the youngest premature baby that Live Action News has ever covered. In December 2019, Jemarius Jachin Harbor Jr. was reportedly born in Georgia, also at 21 weeks, 0 days. Live Action News sought comment from Guinness World Records regarding Jemarius — who was, without explanation, not mentioned along with other record-setting preemies in Guinness’ reporting regarding Nash — and received only the statement that Guinness “can confirm that Nash Keen is the current record holder for the most premature baby” (emphasis original).
Why It Matters:
As technology continues to advance, more micro-preemies like Jemarius and Nash will be able to survive.
Yet, hospitals and doctors across the country still consider 24 weeks to be the age of ‘viability,’ and pro-abortion states still allow induced abortion to the 22- or 24-week mark and beyond for any reason.
After 21 weeks, even if a pregnancy must end in order to protect the mother’s life, her baby can be delivered and provided with medical care in hopes of survival.
Editor’s Note, 7/28/25: This piece has been updated with comment from Guinness World Records.
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