23-week baby, chopstick-size, holds out for dear life  

中国最小早产婴体重仅660克 被称“筷子宝宝”

(ECNS) – Thirty-one-year-old Li Runquan sat on a chair in the hallway of a hospital in Chongqing, staring at his premature baby, who was sleeping peacefully in her incubator.

Four days ago, no one thought this would be possible.

Just 23 weeks into pregnancy, the baby's mother had an emergency C-section due to placenta previa on Nov 13.

When the baby came out, she wasn't moving or crying. But when all present were about to give up hope, a cry broke out.

The baby is alive, but the chance of survival is slight, pediatrician He Nianhai warned the parents. Preemies are subject to organ failure, and even if they survive, they may suffer from cerebral agenesis.

It was a life or death question, and quite a struggle for the baby's father. But when he saw his girl's belly moving with her breath, he said he immediately made the decision.

The baby girl, named Li Siyuan, is the youngest surviving premature baby in China. Born 15 weeks early, she weighs only 660 grams (1.45 ounces) and is 28 centimeters in length, just the length of a chopstick.

The baby has been stablizing, but has quite a few battles to fight, according to He. She has to survive possible breathing and feeding difficulties, infections and other unforeseeable complications.

But Li said the moment he made up his mind to save his daughter, he prepared for all possibilities.

"She's my baby. I must save her."