Baby born with third arm

[transparant]

Baby Born With Third Arm

SHANGHAI, China -- Doctors in Shanghai on Tuesday were considering surgery options for a 2-month-old boy born with an unusually well-formed third arm.


A doctor inspects a 59-day-old baby boy who was born with three arms, at a hospital in Shanghai, in east China Monday. AP Photo.



Neither of the boy's two left arms is fully functional and tests have so far been unable to determine which was more developed, said Dr. Chen Bochang, head of the orthopedics department at Shanghai Children's Medical Center.

"His case is quite peculiar. We have no record of any child with such a complete third arm," Chen said in a telephone interview.

The boy, identified only as "Jie-jie," also was born with just one kidney and may have problems that could lead to curvature of the spine, local media reports said. Jie-jie cried when either of his left arms was touched, but smiled and responded normally to other stimuli, the reports said.

Chen said doctors hoped to work out a plan for surgery, but the boy's small size made it impossible to perform certain tests that would help them prepare.

Media reports said other children have been reported born with additional arms and legs, but in those cases it was clear what limb was more developed.

Chen's hospital is one of China's most experienced in dealing with unusual birth defects, including separating conjoined twins.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Wow. In looking at the pic, it "appears" that the upper arm is more in place of where the correct arm would be.

I used to be fascinated with this type of birth defect. Well, still am, actually. One case involved a woman with an extra set of reproductive organs and full extra set of legs (although smaller than the "correct" set). She actually gave birth from both sets of reproductive organs.

In case anyone is curious, this occurs due to an identical twin that doesn't fully develop. IE the arm in the OPs post is part of an identical twin that never completely formed.

He's a cute little guy, though.

 

[Virgo10]

I have an old medical book called Anomalies And Curiosities Of Medicine. Not that the book itself is old, it's a reprint, but the subject matter was gathered in the late 1800's. Lots of drawings of really bizarre things and even some photos.

Certainly not for the squeamish but, if you're interested in oddities, this is definitely the book for you.

 

[Deb in IA]

I have been an invited lecturer at this hospital, Shanghai Children's Medical Center on two occasions, and know the medical director personally. It is probably the best place for this little guy. Many of the physicians and surgeons are US trained.