‘Precocious Puberty’ is a condition in which a child’s body begins changing into that of an adult (puberty) too soon. Puberty that begins before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys is considered precocious puberty.
Recently when a case where a 1 year old boy started getting facial and body hair, and had fully developed sexual organs came to knowledge to doctors in Delhi, was really shocking.
The earliest recorded event to such conditions dates back to year 1939, when a 5 year old girl was reported to be pregnant. Lina Medina from Peru was five years and seven months old when she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, this made her the youngest mother in the recorded history.
The girl’s parents initially thought their daughter was suffering from a massive abdominal tumour, but after being examined by doctors in Pisco, Peru, they discovered she was eight-months pregnant. Dr. Gerardo Lozada found that Lina’s mammary glands and sexual organs were fully developed. When her parents were questioned about the pregnancy, Lina’s mother informed the doctor that she had been having a period since the age of three. However, upon further examination, Dr. Lozada realised her menstruation began at eight months.
Police arrested Lina’s father on suspicions of incest and rape, but he was later released due to lack of evidence. The identity of Gerardo’s father was never determined.
Her child grew up thinking that his mother was his sister, though when he was 10-years-old her real identity was revealed. Gerardo led a healthy life until 1979, when he died from bone marrow disease at the age of 40.
Throughout the years, many people have called her story a complete hoax, however, X-rays, photos, and doctors’ documentation are proof that this really did happen. We can definitely understand the hesitation because we cannot believe how she was able to carry her baby full term at such a young age.
h/t: First To Know