1-Pound Miami Baby Beats the Odds

Baby born weighing 1 pound, goes home.

By DIANA GONZALEZ

Updated 7:00 PM EST, Fri, Nov 6, 2009

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At birth, Gabriella Gil only had a 15% chance of surviving.

After eight months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Holtz Children's Hospital, Gabriella was all dressed up and ready to go home today.

"Oh my God," exclaimed her elated mother Maruja. Her father Miguel chimed in, “Finally!”

Gabriella was born on March 5 weighing 1lb 1oz, one of the smallest surviving preemies at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Her mother was only 23 weeks pregnant when she went into labor.

Now Gabriella weighs 12 pounds. Doctors are astounded by her progress.

“She just needs a little bit of oxygen once in a while and a few medications. But other than that, she’s quite healthy,” proclaimed Dr. Shahnaz Duara.

Gabriella not only beat the odds, but she also overcame severe lung disease, multiple surgeries, and several infections. But she didn't do it alone.

Doctors described Gabriella’s parents as “a model couple” always at their baby’s side. In addition to positive parents, she had another thing going for her – being female.

"Their lungs are usually more mature than in males and that explains the significant advantage in survival,” said Dr. Eduardo Bancalari, director of Neonatology.

Throughout their ordeal Gabriella’s parents remained hopeful, talking and singing to her, urging their delicate daughter “to keep fighting.”

And that she did.