An Indian musician played the guitar on the operating table to help doctors treat involuntary muscle spasms in his fingers. Abhishek Prasad was asked to play every time doctors “burnt” a circuit in his brain to treat what is commonly known as “musician’s dystonia”. The condition causes painful spasms, twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal … Read more
An Iraqi baby born with eight limbs has undergone surgery to remove his extra arms and legs. Karam, seven months, was plagued by an extremely rare condition where a conjoined twin did not fully form. Instead of growing a separate body, the other undeveloped baby’s limbs absorbed into his as a result of polymelia. But … Read more
A woman who captured the hearts of many South Africans for her brave battle against premature aging disorder progeria has died aged 18. Doctors had said Ontlametse Phalatse would not make it past the age of 14. President Jacob Zuma was among those who conveyed their condolences to the family of “the special child of … Read more
A young Bangladeshi girl diagnosed with a rare condition known as “tree man syndrome” has left hospital, her father told AFP Monday, saying he feared she would never be cured. Surgeons operated on Sahana Khatun last month and removed some of the bark-like growths she has developed from the extremely rare condition of epidermodysplasia verruciformisa. … Read more
A baby boy has been inundated with visitors who believe he is a reincarnation of a Hindu god – despite being rejected by his mother. Mum-of-four Khalida Begum gave birth to the as yet unnamed infant on Monday, according to reports in India. But the 35-year-old was “shocked” when she saw he had a small … Read more
When he was born, Franco Villavicencio from Moreno, Argentina, looked just like any other baby boy. During his first year of life, however, his health began to deteriorate, seemingly for no reason. His parents had medical experts examine him and were told that the boy was suffering from a rare disease that was causing his … Read more