Yahoo Finance 'Scotland's youngest COVID patient' now thriving ahead of first birthday
A premature baby, believed to be Scotland’s youngest COVID patient, is now preparing to celebrate her first birthday at the end of March.
Peyton Maguire, from Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, was born eight weeks premature and was diagnosed with coronavirus at just three weeks old.
But having been cared for in the neonatal unit, Peyton is now thriving and her parents, Tracy and AJ Maguire are looking forward to celebrating her first birthday on 26 March.
Peyton was delivered by c-section at University Hospital Wishaw after her mum was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia following an appointment with her community midwife.
Born weighing a tiny 3lb 11oz, Peyton was cared for in the neonatal unit and, despite not having any symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19 on 15 April.
Watch: Decline in birth rates among younger generations described as a 'crisis'.
Peyton's remarkable story of survival made headlines across the world and her parents joke that their daughter is now a "wee diva", who loves to wave at people.
“She’s full of energy and we’re delighted how good her health has been since she left hospital and how well she’s doing with her developmental milestones," Mrs Maguire explains.
“She’s started toddling about with the help of a walker and she said her first proper word the other day, ‘Daddy’, of course!"
“She drives us daft by listening to the Baby Shark song all the time, so she’s getting a Baby Shark toy for her birthday.
“One of my grans named her ‘the rainbow baby’ because of the joy she brought to us during lockdown and she’s given Peyton a lovely rainbow dress as a birthday gift.”
The newborn was being cared for in an incubator in Wishaw's neonatal unit when her parents were told the alarming news that she had tested positive for COVID-19, despite having none of the tell-tale symptoms of the condition.
“We’ve been in so many papers, magazines and TV shows but the most worthwhile thing her story has led us to do was taking part in the virtual Scottish Neonatal Nurses Group Annual Conference, where I shared my experience with NHS staff," says Mrs Maguire.
“I have so much respect for healthcare workers and I’m so grateful staff at Wishaw put their own lives at risk to care for my baby.
“My message to any mums-to-be is that they shouldn’t be worried about going into hospital to give birth because the staff know exactly what they need to do to protect everyone from the virus.”
Speaking about his daughter's upcoming birthday Mr Maguire added: “I’m the luckiest dad and husband in the world to see my family so healthy and happy.”
NHS Lanarkshire chief midwife, Cheryl Clark, said: “Happy birthday to Peyton when it comes. We’re delighted to see she is doing so well and has come such a long way since she was a tiny, vulnerable baby in our incubator.
“That’s a tribute to the quality of care provided by all my colleagues who looked after Peyton and her mum.”
Additional reporting PA Real Life.
