The smallest baby finally leaves hospital for home

A &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/fun/2001/11/05/20094.html' target=_blank>baby born weighing less than 244 grams and believed to be the smallest yet to survive has gone home after nearly six months in a hospital in Illinois in the United States.

Rumaisa Rahman's prognosis was "very good" and she was expected to have normal development, said Dr Jonathan Muraskas, who provided care for the tiny girl and her larger twin sister, Hiba, after their births on September 19 in Chicago.

Rumaisa was just 24cm long at birth. She is now 2.49kg and almost 43cm long. She still requires around-the-clock &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/region/2003/02/22/43632.html' target=_blank>oxygen - common for premature babies with underdeveloped lungs - but would be gradually weaned from the oxygen tank, said Loyola University Medical Centre spokesperson Stephen Davidow, reports Independent Online.

According to the Canada.News, Davidow said the parents, Mahajabeen Shaik and Mohammed Rahman of Hanover Park, wanted a low-key departure Tuesday for Rumaisa rather the media fanfare of when they introduced the babies to the world in December.