Zaylan, a baby who was born extremely prematurely and given little chance of survival, is now growing up healthy at home. The heartbreaking story of the little one, who spent 181 days in intensive care before being released, is considered a medical miracle.
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Mother Krysten Michelle and father Janerio Reed received the news that they were expecting their first child in August 2022. However, the joy was followed by a series of difficulties when the young woman began bleeding at 23 weeks and six days of gestation. The condition quickly worsened, leading to premature labor. “They said, ‘You’re going to have this baby today… He’s probably not going to make it,’” she recalled to Good News America.
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Due to the severity of the situation, Krysten was transferred by helicopter to the neonatal intensive care unit at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. “It was scary because no one could come with me. I just kept thinking that everything was going to be okay,” she said.
Zaylan was born on December 23 of 2022, weighing approximately 635 grams. “He was so small he could fit in the palm of my hand,” his mother recalled. The little one had a hole in his heart and required constant oxygen, in addition to being diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), an eye condition common in premature babies. Doctors performed surgery to treat the ROP and administered steroids to help develop Zaylan’s lungs, allowing him to remain in treatment for two more days. “It’s been a long road, but he’s a little fighter,” she said. After 181 days in intensive care, Zaylan was discharged on June 21, 2023. For Krysten and Janerio, returning home was a moment of celebration and relief. “It was unreal to have him home and so crazy,” Krysten said. “I can’t believe how little he was. He’s so funny now. He looks at me sideways and smiles and laughs all the time,” she said. Today, the little boy is a healthy child and lives very well with his parents. “He is a miracle,” his mother celebrated.
