Ever heard of a girl giving birth to a child at the age of five? Well, back in 1939, a five-year-old girl named Lina Medina gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Yes, you read it right!
Lina Medina happens to be the youngest mother on this planet who gave birth to a baby at a very young age of 5 years, 7 months, and 21 days. This is something which seems to be unbelievable. But this is a kind of wonder even in medical science.
Lina conceived when she was less than five years old according to her pregnancy’s medical assessments. Also, Lina happens to be the youngest case of precocious puberty on records.
Lina Medina’s Early Life and Pregnancy
Lina Marcela Medina was born on September 23, 1933, in Ticrapo, Castrovirreyna Province, Peru. She was born to Tiburelo Medina (a silversmith) and Victoria Losea (a housemaker). She had 8 siblings.
When Lina was 5 years and 6 months, her parents noticed that their daughter had an abnormal abdominal swelling. Initially, they feared it as some tumor and rushed to a doctor. Dr. Gerardo Lozada did the diagnosis and revealed that Lina was 7 months pregnant.
Her parents could not believe the fact that Lina could be pregnant at such a tender age. They further visited a specialist who confirmed that the original diagnosis is right and that Lina is pregnant.
Lina gave birth to a 5-pound, 8-ounce boy via C-section. The child was named Gerardo Medina. With this delivery, she became the world’s youngest mother at the age of five.
Well, this abnormal case grabbed attention from around the world with even pediatricians getting astonished. However, Lina and her family never wanted this attention. Another interesting fact is that Lina has never disclosed the name of her child’s father to date.
Lina’s case is an instance of precocious puberty and one out of 10,000 children usually develop such a condition.
Wondering what is Precocious Puberty?
Precocious puberty is a condition in which puberty starts at an early age – before the age of eight years for girls whereas for boys it happens before age nine. Due to this rare genetic disorder, a child’s body develops like that of an adult.
Who is the Father of Lina Medina’s Child?
Lina never shared any details regarding the father of her child to her doctors or the authorities. She even did not share what landed her in pregnancy. However, there is a possibility that she herself might not have known about her pregnancy and what happened with her as she was too young.
Even, Lina’s father was arrested by the police who suspected him of sexually assaulting his daughter. However, with no proper evidence or witness against him, Tiburelo was released and freed of the rape charges against his daughter. Even, Lina’s cousin was suspected of making her pregnant. But, again due to lack of evidence, the police could not hold him responsible for any charges.
Where is Lina Medina now?
Lina and her family were offered huge sums of money by a number of news organizations and newspapers to get the rights to interview the girl and even to shoot her. However, all these offers were turned down and never encouraged.
Lina Medina is 88 now and is said to be living in Peru currently.
Remarkable story ,& remarkable woman! Love how he family kept things together, & away from society! Glad to know this woman survived, in spite of having a child at a extremely young age! May God bless her & her family continuously!