Born the Size of a "Large Apple," the World's Smallest Baby Was Just Released From the Hospital

The world's smallest baby is finally ready to go home after spending five months in the NICU at Sharp Hospital in San Diego, CA. After being born at just 23 weeks, 3 days gestation, baby "Saybie" — a nickname the hospital staff gave to her — has had a long road to recovery. Now that she's strong enough, little Saybie is finally headed home with her parents, who wish to remain anonymous.

"After experiencing severe pregnancy complications, Saybie's mother gave birth via emergency cesarean section at 23 weeks, 3 days gestation in the womb," the hospital explained at a news conference. "Doctors said the preterm birth was necessary after they found that the baby was not gaining weight and her mother's life was at immediate risk."

Saybie was born weighing only 8.6 ounces — which is roughly same size as a large apple — making her officially the world's smallest baby according to the Tiniest Babies Registry. "Baby Saybie has the lowest birth weight among the infants in the Tiniest Babies Registry," Dr. Edward Bell, the physician in charge of maintaining the registry, told NPR. "The registry contains only those infants submitted and medically confirmed. We cannot rule out even smaller infants who have not been reported to the registry."

The sweet little girl was discharged weighing five pounds, and while some of the nurses are sad to say goodbye, they're thrilled to see her go!