Little Baby Nmachi Surprises Her Parents

Amazing, yes, but impossible, no; it has happened before. There are documented cases of this sort of anomaly with some plausible explanations.

One theory—dormant white genes that were present in both mother and father decided to show up in the baby’s DNA. How does anyone know what his or her ancestors were doing hundreds of years ago. It is plausible that both parents, Ben and Angela Ihegboro, had ancestors on both sides of their family tree who were involved in biracial relationships. It could have been one hundred years ago or five hundred years ago, but it was only until now, rare as it could be, that the dormant genes manifested in little baby Nmachi, the couple’s daughter, explaining her Caucasian appearance.

A second theory—the baby had a genetic mutation that is somehow unique only to her. According to science, and perhaps in the case of Nmachi, a mutation occurred just after fertilization, which is often associated with a genetic disorder wherein the child has a mutation in every cell but no family history to explain the “disorder.” Some genetic changes are very rare, like in the case of baby Nmachi, but, as the world can see, do happen. Polymorphisms that occur in little more than one percent of any given population are considered a variation in DNA. Polymorphisms are responsible for many of the normal differences between people such as eye color, hair color, and blood type. But in baby Nmachi’s case, polymorphisms could be the factor for the abnormal occurrence of her genetic makeup so unlike her parents.

A third theory—the baby was born with albinism. Albinism is inherited by a recessive gene from one of the parents. There are different levels of albinism. The levels range from having no pigmentation to having practically normal levels. The negative factor concerning albinism is the lack of melanin that protects the skin from the harsh rays of the sun. The lack of pigment can also affect the eyes and unfortunately problems related with vision is not uncommon. Most albino children can go on to live full and healthy normal adult lives, but the lack of pigment makes them susceptible to skin cancer, so it is rather important that those afflicted wtih albinism stay of the sun or when outside it is imperative that they wear protective clothing and head gear.

But for right now, doctors in London are not sure how the little girl born to native Nigerians turned out to be so different from her parents, but tests are being done to determine the cause.

Regardless, her parents love her all the same and describe her as a “miracle.”