Wednesday marked World Prematurity Day, so News 12 is highlighting a preemie survival story in the Hudson Valley.

Makayla Barrett was born at just 25 weeks - that's less than six months of pregnancy.

She weighed in at just a pound and a half - giving her severe lung problems. That's why she had to go to Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla.

"She was on a ventilator, she was on oxygen, she was on a lot of breathing support," says Josephine Johnson, Makayla's mom.

"With all the advances in neonatal intensive care units, survival is greater, but you still have the illnesses which are chronic and long-term," says Dr. Dennis Davidson, of Blythedale Children's Hospital.

About 10% of babies born in the U.S. are premature.

Preterm birth is one of the biggest causes of infant death worldwide.

Fortunately, baby Makayla is now off her ventilator, and at 7 months old, she'll be ready to go home in a couple of weeks.