X, an illegitimate child of Y, filed an action for recognition against Z, wife of Y. The amended complaint impleading three legitimate children was admitted beyond the four-year prescriptive period. What is the effect on prescription?

• A. The action has prescribed and cannot be saved by the amendment.
• B. The four-year prescriptive period has run, and the amendment has no retroactive effect.
• C. The action is still within the four-year period, and the amended complaint retroacts to the filing date of the original complaint.
• D. The amendment creates a new action with a new prescriptive period.

Answer: (C)