Parents of Scotland’s youngest Covid-19 patient who tested positive for coronavirus at just three weeks old say she is ‘full of energy’ and thriving ahead of first birthday
- Peyton Maguire, from Uddingston, was born eight weeks premature last March
- Became Scotland’s youngest Covid patient after testing positive at three weeks
- Parents Tracy and AJ said the ‘wee diva’ is now thriving ahead of first birthday
A three-week-old girl who was believed to be Scotland’s youngest coronavirus patient is preparing to celebrate her first birthday next week.
Peyton Maguire, from Uddingston in Lanarkshire, was born eight weeks premature on March 26 2020 and was delivered by C-section at University Hospital Wishaw after mother Tracy was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.
After being cared for in an incubator in the neonatal unit, the 3lb 11oz baby tested positive for Covid-19 on April 15 – despite not having any symptoms.
Her remarkable story of survival made headlines across the world and her parents now joke that their daughter is now a ‘wee diva’, who loves to wave at folk.
Peyton Maguire (centre), from Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, was born eight weeks premature and tested positive for Covid-19 at just three weeks old. Her parents Tracy (right) and AJ (left) say that she is now thriving
Peyton was delivered early by c-section after Tracy was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a condition that affects pregnant women, following an appointment with her community midwife.
The newborn was being cared for in an incubator in Wishaw’s neonatal unit when the new parents were told the alarming news that Peyton had tested positive for Covid-19, despite having none of the tell-tale symptoms of the condition.
At the time, Tracey said: ‘When I heard Peyton had coronavirus I was sobbing and really worried about how it could affect her respiratory system, her lungs and if it was life-threatening.
‘She’d had a sniffle, which is why they’d tested her for a range of viruses including Covid-19.
Peyton, who was delivered by c-section after Tracy was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, was being cared for in an incubator in University Hospital Wishaw’s neonatal unit when the new parents were told the news she had tested positive despite having no tell-tale symptoms
‘We were told we’d have to stay away from Peyton for 14 days and isolate at home but I pleaded not to be apart from my baby for that long.
‘The staff kindly agreed I could to isolate with her in the hospital while AJ stayed at home.’
What is the risk of a newborn catching Covid-19?
Babies can potentially catch coronavirus after birth from anyone infected with the virus, even if that person does not feel unwell.
It is recommended that a parent takes their baby home as soon as it is safe for them to do so, and follow government advice for self-isolation and social-distancing.
In particular parents should keep their baby away from people with a cough, fever or other viral symptoms such as a runny nose, vomiting or diarrhoea.
Many babies with the virus will not show signs of illness and will recover fully.
Some can develop an unstable temperature and/or a cough. Babies with infections do not always develop a fever.
If the baby has a cough, fever or feels unusually hot or cold, but otherwise well, then parents are advised to call NHS 111.
Parents are advised to call their midwifery team if their baby is jaundiced or feeding poorly.
The NHS says to call 999 straight away if your baby shows any signs which concern you in relation to their breathing, colour or movement.
Source: NHS
She added: ‘Watching the staff at work was incredible. They put their lives at risk to make sure my baby was getting fed and cuddled.
‘Even wearing their PPE, they were determined to hold her.’
Weeks later, Peyton returned home and quickly made a full recovery, with Tracey revealing: ‘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.
‘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.’
‘We’ve been in so many papers, magazines and TV shows,’ Tracy said.
‘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.
‘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.’
AJ 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.’
Her remarkable story of survival made headlines across the world and her parents, from Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, joke that their daughter is now a ‘wee diva’, who loves to wave at folk, ahead of her first birthday on March 26
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