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Third-Smallest Baby Ever Born Cleared To Go Home

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — One of the smallest babies to ever be born alive is finally healthy enough to go home with mom and dad.

Melinda Star Guido will be discharged from Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center Friday, almost five months after entering the world at a weight of 9.5 ounces. Melinda was born Aug. 30, at just 24 weeks.

County health officials say Melinda was the third-smallest baby ever born, according to Global Birth Registry figures.

Melinda spent the first months of her life in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Her original due date was Dec. 15.

"I am so excited to finally have my baby come home," said Melinda's mother, Haydee Ibarra of Granada Hills. "We have waited almost five months for this moment. It is so wonderful and we are ready to bring Melinda home."

Dr. Rangasamy Ramanathan, chief of the neonatology section of the hospital, said last month he wasn't sure initially if Melinda was going to survive beyond a few days. In the weeks since, however, she has quadrupled in size.

"We have reached a milestone by being able to see Melinda go home," Ramanathan said. "We are hopeful to see many more milestones accomplished in Melinda's development as we follow her care over the next six years."

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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