adminWhen the midwife presented financial analyst Catherine Howarth with her new baby, she was convinced she’d been given the wrong child. Baby Jonah was born completely white although his mother is of Nigerian heritage and has dark skin. Both Catherine’s parents are from Nigeria and even though baby Jonah has a white father, doctors say the chances of him being white too were an incredible one in a million.
“My parents were from Nigeria and, for as far back as anyone can remember, my family have all been black.”
Although her husband Richard, 34, a medical recruitment consultant, is white, he was equally astonished.
He had expected his son, who was born at Milton Keynes Hospital on June 1, to have darker skin.
“Catherine and I noticed his complexion was very similar to mine and were surprised it was as light. The midwives and doctors told us he’ll most likely remain this colour.”
“We have been told that I must have been carrying a recessive gene,” said Catherine.
According to the Mirror doctors have researched the chances of this happening and discovered that this is extremely rare.
“They had only found two similar cases, both in America, that had been reported in recent times.”
Catherine said that despite the initial shock they are very happy and baby Jonah is doing well.
“The colour of his skin is of no concern — Jonah being a healthy and happy baby is what matters,” said Richard. — Sowetanlive
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