Warning: This page discusses sensitive topics that some readers may find distressing.

In 1939, Lina Medina, a five-year-old girl from a rural Peruvian village, became the youngest confirmed mother in history when she gave birth to a baby boy.

Lina’s parents noticed her abdomen swelling and, concerned about a potential tumor, took her to Dr. Gerardo Lozada in Lima. To their shock, the doctor discovered she was seven months pregnant.

On May 14, 1939, Lina delivered a healthy baby boy via C-section, officially becoming a mother at five years, seven months, and 21 days old. Lina named the infant Gerardo in honor of the doctor who handled her unique medical case.

Lina’s story drew global attention, but her family chose to maintain privacy. Lina never disclosed details about the baby’s father.

Later in life, Lina married Raul Jurado, with whom she had another child in 1972. Tragically, her eldest son passed away in 1979 due to a bone-related illness. Raul shared in an interview that Lina, at 68, was living in modest conditions in Peru.

Doctors have provided insights into Lina’s unique medical condition. Doctors diagnosed Lina with precocious puberty, a rare disorder that causes puberty to begin at an unusually young age. Lina reportedly started menstruating as early as three years old, and her condition led to the early development of reproductive organs, making conception possible at such a young age.

Unfortunately, Lina’s pregnancy was the result of a traumatic experience. Authorities initially suspected familial involvement and detained her father for questioning. However, insufficient evidence led to his release.

Much about Lina’s case remains a mystery, but her story highlights the importance of understanding and addressing rare medical conditions and the broader social implications they can entail.