18 Day Old Mariana Sifrit, Infant Girl Who Contracted Viral Meningitis When She Was A Few Days Old Has Died

Mariana Sifrit, the infant girl who contracted viral meningitis caused by HSV-1 when she was less than a week old died Tuesday morning. It is believed that baby Mariana contracted the deadly virus from a kiss because her parents, Nicole and Shane Sifrit, both tested negative for the virus. She was just 18 days old when she died, Mariana had spent her last week at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital in Iowa City, suffering from severe medical complications. Her mum announed the news of her death on Facebook saying "Our princess Mariana Reese Sifrit gained her angel wings at 8:41 am this morning in her daddy's arms and her mommy right beside her. She is now no longer suffering and is with the Lord. Thank you to everyone who has followed her journey and supported us through this. In her 18 days of life she made a huge impact on the world and we hope with Mariana's Story we save numerous newborns life. R.I.P. sweet angel".