When she made her appearance in the world she measured a tiny eight inches, and weighed less than a grapefruit.

Emilia Grabarczyk is thought to be the smallest baby ever to survive premature birth.

The little fighter has defied the odds, after she was born at 25 weeks in a hospital in the western German city of Witten, near Dortmund.

She tipped the scales at a slight eight ounces (229g) - less than the average grapefruit.

2 Tiny Emilia Grabarczyk was born at just 25 weeks, and weighed a tiny eight ounces - less than the average grapefruit. She measured 8.6 inches, and her foot was only slightly bigger than a fingernail Credit: CEN

Local media have hailed Emilia the lightest premature baby ever to be born.

The previous record is thought to be held by Rumaisa Rahman, who was born at 26 weeks at the Loyola University Medical Centre in Chicago weighing 8.6oz.

But, doctors in Germany have branded Emilia's arrival a medical sensation.

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At birth she was 8.6 inches, and her tiny foot measured just over an inch - not much bigger than a fingernail.

Dr Bahman Gharavi, Head of Children and Youth Clinic at the hospital, said her birth was truly unique.

He said her survival was only possible thanks to the joint effort of paediatricians, gynaecologists and paediatric surgeons - and Emilia's incredible spirit.

He said: "Even children with a birth weight of 14 ounces rarely survive. We have to thank Emilia as well for her own survival. "She is a little fighter."

There were many difficult days and many tears, but she clearly wanted to survive Sabine, Emilia's mum

At the beginning of the 26th week of pregnancy Dr Sven Schiermeier, chief physician of obstetrics, decided together with the parents to deliver Emilia by C-section.

He warned a failure to do so would have resulted in Emilia dying in the womb, because the placenta was not providing her with enough nutrition.

For comparison, Dr Schiermeier explained that a foetus typically in the 26th week of pregnancy should weigh around 21 ounces.

For parents Lukas, 34, and Sabine Grabarczy, 30, there was no question as to whether they would give their daughter a chance, even in the face of such dire survival odds.

2 Now, at the age of nine months, the "little fighter" weighs 106 ounces and is getting stronger every day Credit: CEN

Following her birth, the couple faced an agonising time, waiting to see if their tiny daughter would build her strength.

As a result of her premature birth, Emilia was at risk of behavioural and learning difficulties.

Yet, Dr Gharavi said thankfully there was no sign of any serious disability.

He said: "For more than six months, it was unclear whether she would survive. Only in recent weeks she is getting more robust."

Emilia was initially fed with a tiny tube.

The doctors used a cotton bud soaked in sugar water to soothe her and relieve pains.

Baby Emilia even survived an abdominal surgery at a weight of just 12 ounces.

Her proud mother said: "There were many difficult days and many tears, but she clearly wanted to survive."

Little Emilia, who is now nine months old, currently weighs 106 ounces her physical condition is improving.