Baby: born with SIX legs

Doctors remove four extra limbs from one-in-a-million baby who was born with SIX legs

A baby boy born with six legs has had a successful operation to remove his four extra limbs.

A youngster from Karachi in Pakistan was believed to have had a parasitic twin, which had not developed properly in the womb, resulting in the extra legs. 

Doctors examined MRI, blood tests, and CT scans before deciding to operate on the boy.

Critical: Doctors in Pakistan are fighting to save the life of the baby boy who was born last week with six legs because of a rare genetic condition.

A team of five doctors had fought to save the boy's life at the National Institute of Child Health in Karachi. The head of the NICH, Jamal Raza, said 'the abnormal birth was the result of a genetic disease which would affect only one in a million or more babies. It was strange that apparently an abnormal baby with six legs was as normal as other children'.

Before surgeons could operate they said they had to work out which of the limbs belonged to the boy and which to his twin.

Dr Jamal Raza (right) along with Imran Sheikh reveal the operation was a success.

Doctors examined MRI, blood tests and CT scan reports before deciding to perform the surgery. The operation lasted eight-hours and was performed in stages.

The baby had been in intensive since he was born last week to the wife of an X-ray technician.

The baby's father Imran Shaikh,  who lives in Sukkur, said 'he is thankful and grateful to the government and doctors for helping a successful operating his son as we are poor family'.

Medical marvel: Since Shaikh made his public plea for help, the Sindh Governor has come forward and directed officials concerned to make sure the child receives all the medical care he needs.

Shaikh and his wife, who is also his cousin, lived in Sukkur village around 280 miles north of where his son is being cared for. His wife is reported to be recovering well and in a good state of health. Shaikh said they were planning on naming their son Umar Farooq.

The Sindh provincial health department said they were examining if the baby  needed any further treatment to live a normal life.