The world’s largest multiple birth on record is the Suleman octuplets, born in 2009 in Bellflower, California. The eight babies, six boys and two girls, were born to Nadya Suleman, who was 33 years old at the time. The octuplets were delivered by caesarean section at the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center, and weighed between 1 pound 8 ounces and 3 pounds 4 ounces.
The octuplets are the first full set of octuplets to survive infancy. Prior to their birth, the largest multiple birth on record was the McCaughey septuplets, born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1997. The McCaughey septuplets were born to Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey, and were the first set of septuplets known to survive infancy.
Multiple births of as many as eight babies have been born alive, although the Suleman octuplets are the only full set to survive infancy. In 1971, a set of octuplets were born in Australia, but only four of the babies survived. In 1985, a set of octuplets were born in Mexico, but only five survived.
The Suleman octuplets are now 11 years old, and are doing well. They are currently living with their mother in California, and are attending school. The octuplets have become celebrities in their own right, and have been featured in various media outlets.
The Suleman octuplets are a remarkable medical achievement, and a testament to the advances in medical technology that have enabled multiple births to survive infancy. They are a reminder of the power of the human spirit, and the amazing things that can be achieved when we work together.
