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Babu DasIndian baby with encephalocele and anencephaly
Country:
 India |
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Indian Baby with Encephalocele and Anencephaly
Doctors in India are unable to provide any assistance to a baby born with a flattened head and a sac on the back of his neck. The infant, known as Babu, is a victim of encephalocele - a rare condition that has caused the formation of a sac on the back of his neck and a change in the shape of his head. Babu's parents, Jotsna and Jonto, were told that there was no hope for their child's survival. However, the baby is now two months old and his parents are desperately hoping for a miracle. They believe that their child can "live forever", despite the helplessness of the doctors who predict a swift demise for Babu. Currently, the parents are trying to create the most comfortable conditions for their son to prolong his days. Jonto stated, "If Babu can live a little longer, he can live forever. We are waiting for a miracle to save our child." Jotsna added, "If the doctors have nothing left to offer, then we will take care of him in our own way. We will provide him with comfort and our love, hoping that our son will live a long life."
Biographical Information - Babu
Babu, an Indian infant, was born with two serious congenital defects - encephalocele and anencephaly. Encephalocele is a rare condition that has caused the formation of a sac on the back of his neck and a change in the shape of his head. Anencephaly, on the other hand, is a severe birth defect that often results in the absence of a major portion of the brain. Despite the doctors' declaration that there was no hope for Babu's survival, he has already reached the age of two months.
During Jotsna's pregnancy, she underwent numerous ultrasounds, but none of them detected the presence of encephalocele in the baby. The doctors from the National Medical College in Kolkata noted only an enlarged head size of the fetus and believed that the situation could easily be corrected after Babu's birth. However, upon the baby's arrival, the medical professionals were forced to admit their mistake and inform Babu's uneducated parents that there was no possibility of providing any assistance in his case.
Since then, Jotsna and Jonto have been seeking help from one hospital to another, hoping for a surgery for their son. However, the team of surgeons from the Bangur Institute of Neurology in Kolkata has also given no hope to Babu's parents, explaining the harsh reality of his condition. Dr. Pitboron Chokroborty from the institute stated, "This baby was born with the brain outside his skull. The cause of this is a rare condition known as anencephaly. It is an extreme case of deformity, and there is nothing that can be done to save the child. We are helpless. Even if he ends up on the operating table, he will die as soon as the operation begins."
The doctors offered their professional assistance in caring for Babu, but his parents declined the offer and wished to take care of him themselves. Encephalocele is a rare type of neural tube defect that is present at birth and affects the brain's functioning. It occurs when the neural tube, responsible for the formation of the brain and spinal cord, fails to close completely during early pregnancy. Typically, the condition is detected immediately after birth, but in some cases, a small encephalocele on the nose and forehead area can go unnoticed for a while.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 375 children are born with encephalocele in the United States each year. This means that about one in every 10,000 children born in the United States has encephalocele. The condition often occurs in families with a history of spinal bifida and anencephaly. Some researchers also believe that certain environmental factors before and during pregnancy may contribute to the development of encephalocele, but further research is needed.
Currently, there is no known way to prevent encephalocele, although steps can be taken to reduce the risk.
