Maharu Ross is the tiniest baby born in more than a decade, in Townsville
A teeny, tiny baby born no heavier than a soccer ball has defied medical odds to become the smallest surviving baby at Townsville University Hospital in more than a decade.
Townsville
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A teeny, tiny baby born no heavier than a soccer ball has defied medical odds to become the smallest surviving baby at Townsville University Hospital in more than a decade.
Just days away from celebrating her 100th day alive, baby Maharu Ross has left everyone in awe of her fighting spirit and earnt the nickname “little legend” after reaching 2kg.
Maharu’s impressive progress of quadrupling her birth weight means she’s now big enough to enjoy cuddles from parents Cooktown couple Dora Harrigan and Jayden Ross.
After being born by caesarean at 26 weeks and five days on June 9 weighing 450g, the first time parents were fully aware of the fight ahead of her, choosing Maharu’s name for its meaning of “power”.
“It means she has the power to adjust to whatever comes her way,” Mr Ross said.
“She has lived up to her name.
“She looked so perfect when she came out it was hard to believe she was so sick.”
After being considered as an “extremely high risk pregnancy”, Ms Harrigan was transferred to Townsville University Hospital in May to have access to the highest level of neonatal care north of Brisbane.
Ms Harrigan was diagnosed with “intra-uterine growth restriction”, which meant her baby wasn’t growing adequately and there was a high risk of stillbirth.
Neonatologist Dr Sue Ireland, who was at Maharu’s delivery, said Maharu was “surprisingly well” at delivery but still needed immediate resuscitation.
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“Delivering Maharu early gave our neonatologists the best chance of saving her life,” Dr Ireland said.
“We call the first hour after delivery the golden hour and it’s the time we have to do
everything we can to stabilise the baby to give her the best possible chance.”
Dr Ireland said she was in “awe” of Maharu’s progress since those precarious early days.
“She’s just so determined,” Dr Ireland said.
“She’s fiery and feisty and gets so cross demanding her food.
“That fighting spirit is why she’s here today.”
Originally published as Maharu Ross is the tiniest baby born in more than a decade, in Townsville