10-ounce newborn defying survival odds at Mobile. (Sympathy to the family on the Child's passing)

Ledger-Enquirer ^ | March 4, 2005 | AP

[beaversmom]

MOBILE, Ala. - A medical team at the University of South Alabama's Children's & Women's Hospital have closely monitored the progress of a newborn who weighed only 10 ounces at birth on Feb. 15.

His parents, Phillip and Monica Whitlock, said tiny Malachi Andreas Whitlock is so far holding his own.

"I feel he's got 100 percent chance of survival," his father said.

They said they chose the name Malachi because it's one of the smallest books of the Bible, and Malachi means "messenger of God."

"He's so small, and he's sent a message to us of what love is," the father said.

Dr. Fabien Eyal, the director of USA's neonatal intensive care unit, said, "Everybody's pulling for him, but we know they're in for a very tough time."

Monica Whitlock had an emergency cesarean section after developing high blood pressure.

Malachi, at 10 ounces, weighed about 290 grams at birth. Most babies placed in the unit, Eyal said, weigh around 400 grams. One baby, born at 350 grams, did survive and went home this week.

Eyal attributed the "incredibly low birth weight" to the fact that Malachi stopped growing before his birth. He put Malachi's actual development at 20 weeks at the time of birth.

The normal gestation period is 40 weeks.

Eyal said babies born at 22 to 24 weeks are at "the limit of viability."

[malachi dad]

just got news that he is having a rough evening

[blam]

Bump from another long-time Mobile FReeper. I've been following this story in the Mobile Register...It's even more interesting now that I know the parents are FReepers. My prayers for Malachi.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Urgent Malachi prayer request. See post #361

[TexKat]

Prayers going up Brad's Gramma.

[Aquamarine]

Praying for Malachi and his parents.

[StarCMC]

Praying now.

[Brad’s Gramma]

From Malachi's Dad:

he as had a few heart rate drops which is not real bad, just a lil worse than his day yesterday....

Dear Lord, Please place Your hand on this sweet baby's heart. Lord, we pray that you bring his heart rate back to the rate that it should be. Father, please continue to let this child of Yours, who You love so much, grow. Let him grow and thrive.

Thank you Lord, in Your Holy Name, AMEN!

[Soaring Feather]

Prayers for the little one.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Ping to #361

[Dutchgirl]

Just stumbled across this joyous thread, my prayers for Malachi and his family. and a ping to everyone I know with ping lists.

The fact that this little 10 ounce brother has struggled to survive for a month (without a word from the media) is a MAJOR miracle and we are in the season of miracles. Please offer up prayers to our Loving Father (who answers prayer and knows how to give every good gift) for His power to be shown in the life of this much desired and welcomed infant.

Brad's G'ma, please add me to your prayer list. Thanks.

[Friend of thunder]

Prayers sent.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Wow - makes my 3 pounder sound like he was huge!

[JustAmy]

Prayers for Malachi and his parents.

Father, hear our prayers.

[Brad’s Gramma]

YOU GO MALACHI!!!!!!

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to thank You for the power of prayer, for it is life to the body and soul. Touch baby Malachi with Your healing hand, O God ... calm his heart and restore it to normal rhythm. Give the greatest wisdom to those who are treating and monitoring him .. let nothing be overlooked that would help him, yet hinder anything that might be harmful. Encourage his anxious parents that their baby is loved by many ... blanket this child with the prayers of the saints, O God, that he would prosper and grow. In the Name of Jesus, we pray, Amen ...

[pubmom]

Praying.

[JustAmy]

Thank you so very much for these precious pictures.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Does that teddy bear remind you of another little animal?

Remember the doggy that SHRUNK???? :)

[glock rocks]

and Amen.

[JustAmy]

I'm praying that Malachi will dwarf that bear very soon. :)