Published 03 July 2026
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The world’s most premature baby, Nash Keen (USA) – who was born at a gestational age of just 21 weeks in 2024 – will celebrate his 2nd birthday on 5 July.
Two years ago, Nash – or “Nash Potato” as he also goes by – was delivered at University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City to Mollie and Randall Keen.
As a newborn, who arrived 133 days earlier than anticipated, he weighed in at a mere 285 g (10 oz) – less than a grapefruit– and measured just 24 cm (9.5 in) long.
It was a very scary time for the family – as his mom, Mollie, told GWR last year: “He was born so early that we weren’t sure if he’d even survive those first critical hours…” She described the first few days as being “a blur of fear, uncertainty and hope”.
Nash had to spend six months at a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before – thanks to the stellar efforts of his care team and his own remarkable resilience – being discharged in early 2025. In many ways, the Keens haven’t looked back since. Nash was officially recognized as the world’s most premature baby on turning one on 5 July 2025.
Fast-forward another year and, in the leadup to his second birthday, GWR spoke to Mollie to find out how Nash and the family have been getting along.
First of all, though, we were “keen” to hear what they have in store to see in Nash turning two years old. “We plan on having a small gathering with our closest friends and family to celebrate him. To be honest, I’m actually shocked I don’t have a specific theme picked out already!” Mollie admitted.
“I’ve been so focused on his everyday milestones and his health that the time has just flown by. I truly look at him and can’t believe he is two already. It feels like a lifetime ago that we were in the NICU, yet the time has gone by in the blink of an eye. We are just so excited to surround him with the village that has helped him get here.”
So, just how has the record-breaking Nash Potato been doing? “Nash is doing absolutely incredible and making us so incredibly proud!” she revealed. “Just by looking at him, you’d never guess that he was born at 21 weeks’ gestation. Today, he weighs a healthy 25 lb [11.3 kg] and is tracking right in line with full-term babies on the standard growth charts.
“His language is blooming; he’s recently started saying several more words and loves showing off by mimicking different animal sounds. (‘Baaa’ or ‘Quack quack’ are our favourites).”
