Canadian Twins Born at 22 Weeks Set Guinness Record for Most Premature Twins Adiah and Adrial Nadarajah have been confirmed by Guinness World Records as the most premature twins ever to survive, arriving 126 days before their due date on March 4, 2022.
November 20, 2025
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Canadian Twins Born at 22 Weeks Set Guinness Record for Most Premature Twins
TORONTO — Two Canadian siblings who entered the world at just 22 weeks gestation have been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the most premature twins ever to survive, marking a medical milestone that has captured global attention.
Adiah and Adrial Nadarajah, born on March 4, 2022, arrived 126 days before their original due date, pushing the boundaries of neonatal viability and highlighting remarkable advances in premature infant care.
A Fight for Survival From the First Breath
Delivered at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, one of Canada’s leading centers for extreme preterm births, the twins faced overwhelming odds. Babies born before 24 weeks are often considered below the traditional threshold of viability, and survival rates are exceedingly low. For twins, the risk is even greater.
Doctors initially told parents Shakina and Kevin Nadarajah that the chances of survival were nearly zero. But the medical team agreed to attempt full resuscitation and life-support measures after learning the pregnancy had reached exactly 22 weeks — the earliest limit at which the hospital could intervene.
What followed was a months-long battle involving mechanical ventilation, delicate surgeries, and constant monitoring, as the twins fought through complications common among micro-preemies, including respiratory distress, infections, and fragile organ development.
Breaking a World Record — and Defying Expectations
Guinness World Records confirmed in 2024 that Adiah and Adrial are now the most premature surviving twins ever documented. The previous record was held by twins born at 22 weeks and two days in the United States. The Nadarajah twins, however, arrived even earlier — at 22 weeks and zero days, weighing less than 500 grams each at birth.
Medical staff described their survival as “extraordinary,” crediting rapid intervention, advanced neonatal technology, and the unwavering involvement of the twins’ family.
Thriving After an Unimaginable Start
Now toddlers, Adiah and Adrial continue to grow and develop at home with their parents. While they still face routine medical follow-ups and developmental checks, doctors report that both children are progressing far beyond initial expectations.
Their story has become a symbol of hope for families experiencing extreme preterm births and has contributed to ongoing discussions about updating neonatal care guidelines and viability standards.
A Milestone in Medical History
The Nadarajah twins’ survival represents not only a Guinness World Record but also a powerful testament to modern medicine, parental advocacy, and the resilience of the smallest infants. Their journey continues to inspire physicians, researchers, and families around the world.