Photo courtesy WFAA
DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) — A baby born at Parkland Hospital in Dallas is believed to be the first baby in the U.S. to contract coronavirus while still in her mother’s womb.
Parkland doctors delivered the girl in May, six weeks early after her mother, Wendy Figueroa, tested positive at 34 weeks of pregnancy. Testing of her placenta determined the baby was also positive for COVID-19. The girl was taken from the womb less than 24 hours later. For three weeks after the birth in May new mom Wendy was unable to hold her daughter.
Dr. Mamarambath Jaleel, who runs the Parkland Neonatal ICU, told WFAA baby Alexa developed a fever a day or two after she was born.
The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports mother and daughter both recovered from the virus.
