A Shocking Diagnosis
In early 1939, five-year-old Lina Medina from Ticrapo, Peru, was taken to a hospital due to abdominal swelling. Initially thought to have a tumor, doctors discovered she was seven months pregnant. Medical specialists in Lima confirmed the pregnancy, caused by a rare condition called precocious puberty.
Birth at Age Five
On May 14, 1939, Lina gave birth by caesarean section to a healthy boy named Gerardo. She was five years, seven months, and 21 days old. Her case was documented with medical records, X-rays, and photographs. Doctors determined that her reproductive organs were fully developed.
Unanswered Questions
Peruvian law presumed rape, but Lina never revealed the identity of the father. Her own father was arrested but released due to lack of evidence. Gerardo grew up believing Lina was his sister and learned the truth at age ten.
Life After the Birth
Lina worked as a secretary in the clinic where her doctor employed her. She had a second child in 1972 and chose to live a private life. Her first son died in 1979 at age 40. Despite speculation, medical experts verified Lina Medina’s case as authentic.
