FIGURE 2.23 Small miracles Shown here is (a) one of the smallest newborns ever to survive and (b) the same child at 14 years of age. Born in 1989 after just 27 weeks of gestation, Madeline weighed a mere 9.9 ounces—approximately the equivalent of three bars of soap. Extremely LBW infants tend to suffer serious disabilities, but Madeline is remarkably healthy, other than being a bit small for her age and having asthma. She entered high school as an honor student and enjoys playing her violin and rollerblading.

AP PHOTO/A. HAYASHI/LOYOLA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM