A baby described as a “gift from God” by his parents after being born with four legs and two penises.
The unusual infant was delivered at the Dhadeasugure Primary Health Centre in Raichur in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
His parents Lalitamma, 23, and Chennabasava, 26, of the nearby village of Puldinni, were at first reluctant for the boy to have any treatment.
But the pair have now agreed for the newborn to have surgery at the Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS), in Ballari, 94 miles to the south.
Their son is now in neo-natal care at VIMS. They also have a three-year-old boy, who has no known medical conditions.
Dr Virupaksha T. attended the 4.23am birth and said that it was a “normal” delivery. He immediately made arrangements for a transfer to VIMS.
The baby’s mother agreed to treatment after talking to medical staff and family members. She had said her family was poor and could not afford medical treatment.
Dr Virupaksha added: “I referred the family to VIMS. I spoke to the surgeons there on Sunday, and they told me that the baby was being kept under observation. I hope the infant becomes normal.”
Dr Divakar Gaddi, looking after the baby at VIMS, said: “A team of surgeons is looking into the baby’s condition. It is a very challenging case for us.”
Lalitamma added: “The doctors and members of my family advised me to take the baby to VIMS for advanced treatment. Now, I am hoping he becomes normal.”
