Baby Breaks Guinness World Record
A baby from Ankeny, Iowa, celebrated a milestone this July by becoming the most untrained baby to survive, officially recognized by Guinness World Records. Nash Keene, who turned one on July 5, 2024, was born extremely prematurely at just 21 weeks gestation, which is 133 days prior to the typical due date.
Delivered at the University of Iowa Healthcare, Nash weighed a mere 285 grams (10 ounces) and measured 24 cm (9.5 inches) at birth. This incredible journey involved a dedicated medical team, including Drs. Malinda Schaefer and H. Bennett Stevens, along with neonatologist Dr. Amy Stanford. The challenges faced were immense, with Nash spending several months in a Level IV NICU, the highest level of neonatal care.
Now affectionately called “nash potatoes” by his family, he has made significant progress but still relies on feeding tubes and oxygen, as well as a hearing aid due to mild hearing loss. His parents, Molly and Randall Keene, shared that he receives consistent treatment and attends specialized medical daycare.
“Honestly, it’s surreal,” Molly expressed to Guinness World Records about the past year. “A year ago, we were uncertain about the future, and now we’re celebrating his first birthday.” Nash was finally discharged from the hospital in early January 2025. His birthday celebrations included small gatherings, gifts, and special doctor approvals for him to enjoy cake with whipped cream.
Randall reflected on Nash’s remarkable resilience by saying, “He just kept fighting and he was with us.” The previous record for the most premature infant was held by Curtis Gee Keith Means, born in 2020 at 21 weeks and one day.
Nash’s medical team is continuing to monitor his progress. Dr. Stanford remarked, “Seeing him grow and thrive makes me extremely proud, not just for Nash himself, but for the whole care team that has helped make this success possible.” Recently, Guinness has also acknowledged the earliest tetramolecule, born at 23 weeks and 4 days, highlighting the advances in neonatal care.
