In a rare and distressing incident, a woman in Chakghat tehsil of Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district has given birth to a premature baby suffering from a severe and rare genetic disorder. The baby, born at the Chakghat Community Health Centre, was immediately referred to Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Rewa for intensive care.
The mother, Priyanka Patel from Dhakhra Sonnouri village in Tyonthar tehsil, went into labour on Tuesday night and delivered the baby through normal delivery around 7 a.m. on Wednesday. While the mother is reported to be in good health, the baby was born two months early and in critical condition.
Family members say Priyanka had undergone regular check-ups at both government and private clinics. Doctors had assured them that the pregnancy was progressing normally. Even an ultrasound done just a day before delivery indicated the baby was healthy. However, the birth came as a shock due to the newborn’s severe physical deformities.
Dr. Naveen Kumar Mishra from the Neonatal ICU at Gandhi Memorial Hospital confirmed that the infant is suffering from Harlequin Ichthyosis, a rare genetic condition. The disorder occurs when both parents carry a defective gene, resulting in thick, cracked skin, abnormal facial structure, and bulging eyes. The chances of survival are very low in such cases.
Doctors also suspect the presence of Collodion Baby Syndrome, another rare condition that causes tight, dry, and fragile skin prone to splitting. The baby is currently on oxygen support due to breathing issues.
Medical experts say cases like this are extremely rare, with only one or two being reported across India annually. The doctors at Gandhi Memorial Hospital are closely monitoring the baby’s condition and continuing treatment with care and hope.
