Shakiba, from Bangladeshi, was born with a small growth under her arm, which has continued to grow and now weighs 6lbs
WHEN she was born doctors noticed a small lump under Shakiba’s right arm.
Now two, the lump is a huge growth that engulfs her whole arm, and is spreading to her chest.
The toddler’s arm is so big it now weighs a staggering 3kgs (6lbs).
Shakiba, from Bangladeshi, is barely able to stand and walk because of the weight of her arm.
Desperate for help her parents Chabina Begum, 21, and Abdul Sattar, 23, pleaded with doctors to treat their little girl.
Shakiba is thought to be suffering from a non-cancerous condition called haemangioma – a collection of small blood vessels under the skin that can cause lumps to appear.
Dr Shamim Hossain, a surgeon at the Chapai Nawabgani district hospital, said: “We have formed a team of three doctors to look into her case.
“Two specialists have also joined us for examinations.
“This looks like a case of haemangioma but we can only ascertain the cause once the test results are out.
“While the condition is curable, this looks like an extensive growth and would require advanced treatment.”
Shakiba’s condition has prevented her from playing with the other kids in her village.
Chabina said: “She yearns to play with other children in the neighbourhood but people fear that their children will also catch the disease.
“She cannot sit or walk.
“Every time she tries to take a few steps, she falls down.
“We are extremely worried for her.
“We do not know what she is suffering from and if there is any medicine that can cure her.
“We want her to play with other children and have a normal upbringing but her hand does not let her live like a normal child.”
What is a hemangioma?
A haemangioma is a collection of small blood vessels under the skin.
A congenital haemangioma is one that is present from birth and has grown to its maximum size while the baby is developing in the womb.
It is not known what causes a congenital haemangioma, they are not inherited and affect boys and girls equally.
Congenital haemangiomas are classified into three types:
- rapidly involuting congenital haemangiomas (RICH),
- noninvoluting congenital haemangiomas (NICH) and,
- partially involuting congenital haemangiomas (PICH)
RICH:
These have reached their maximum size by the time the baby is born and start to shrink quickly.
They usually flatten within 12 to 18 months, often leaving little sign that they were ever present.
However some may leave behind an indentation and prominent veins, which may need treatment at a later stage to improve their appearance.
NICH:
NICH may continue to grow after birth in proportion with the baby.
Unlike the RICH type, NICH do not have a shrinking stage.
PICH:
These are a combination of both RICH and NICH types.
For example, what might have initially appeared to be a RICH may start to shrink but then stop or one that appeared to be a NICH might start to shrink after some time.
It is not known why this occurs.
When Skakiba was born and her parents saw the growth they sold their belongings and borrowed money from friends and relatives to pay for her treatment.
But no doctor in their village could tell them what was wrong with their daughter.
“They all advised us to take her to Dhaka [ the capital of Bangladesh] but we had no money to afford the travel or hospital bill,” said Abdul, who makes a measly income of £30 a month.
A local activist shared Skakiba’s story on social media and local medics took her in for treatment.
Abdul added: “We are hopeful the doctors will find a treatment for my daughter and give her a life worth living.”
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