Canadian siblings Adiah and Adrial Nadarajah are the new holders of the Guinness record for being the world’s most premature twins. Read to know more.
Meet Adiah and Adrial Nadarajah, the world’s most premature twins.
Adiah and Adrial Nadarajah born at 22 weeks, i.e., 126 days early were named by Guinness as the world’s most premature twins. The record was previously held by American siblings Keeley and Kambry Ewoldt in 2018. A normal pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks. However, Shakina Rajendram, the mother of the duo went into labor four months early, at 21 weeks and five days. The doctors gave a zero percent survival chance to the babies.
“When I went into labor, the babies were denied all life-sustaining measures at the hospital I was admitted to and almost left to die. We were in shock,” said Rajendram. It is general practice in the most hospital to not attempt to save babies born before 24 to 26 weeks. Rajendram was informed that if her children were born, even a few minutes before 22 weeks, they will not try to save them. (Provigil)
Finding hope
When they thought there was no more hope, they were accepted by Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital. The hospital has a dedicated neonatal intensive unit. 15 minutes after midnight, on the second day of her labor, Rajendram’s water broke. The babies were born two hours after entering the 22-week mark. Additionally, their combined weight of 750 grams made them the ‘lightest twins at birth’. “We watched the babies almost die before our eyes many times,” expressed Rajendram.
However, the fight for life did not end after the birth of the premature twins. They had to battle several health complications such as brain bleeding, sepsis, lung disease, breathing issues, and fluid management. However, the babies were much better after six months in the hospital. The twins recently celebrated their first birthday. The Guinness World Records released a video documenting their journey so far.