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| .....the baby |
DOCTORS at Dr Malizo Mpehle Memorial Hospital in Tsolo in South Africa delivered a baby with an eye and a penis on the forehead yesterday, the provincial health department said.
The baby girl, who was born to a 16-year-old girl from Qumbu, did
not survive.
Eastern Cape department of health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the baby was born with one eye on her forehead, and no eyes where her eyes should have been.
She had a penis on the forehead even though she is a girl; and exposed small and large intestines.
“She was born with a small penis on the forehead and one eye on the forehead,” Kupelo said.
“She was born with no nose and where there are supposed to be eyes there was nothing, just skin covered over the area.”
Also, Kupelo said this pressed for the department to do a study. There were 29 birth defects last year alone.
“We urge pregnant women to start ante-natal care early for early detection,” said Kupelo, adding that this was vital especially in the first trimester.
He said pregnant women should always inform doctors that they are pregnant whenever they consult to avoid being given prescription medication that could be harmful to the child.
Kupelo also urged expectant mothers to refrain from using traditional herbs.
“We are not saying these are the causes of these defects, but they are possible contributory factors,” he said..
Kupelo said doctors in the area, were “in the dark” about the causes.
“This calls for a need for specialists to conduct a study in the area so as to determine what is the cause.”
The department was “in talks” about the urgent need for research by paediatric specialists into the problem.
Kupelo said most of the babies with deformities died soon after birth, or during procedures to try and rectify the deformities.
Culled- Bulawayo24
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