Nepalese toddler Gaurab Garum’s fifth limb comes from his undeveloped twin.. and is continuing to increase in size
THIS two-year-old Nepalese boy has a third arm growing out of his back, a deformity which has left his parents with a heart-wrenching choice which could leave his paralysed.
The arm, which doesn’t move, is the remains of Gaurab Garum’s undeveloped twin and is growing from a split in the toddler’s spinal column.
Adorable Gaurab has just learned to walk… but could soon be confined to a wheelchairCredit: TLC
He has a THIRD ARM growing out of his backCredit: TLC
The split, known as spina bifida, affects around one in 1,500 babies – but the extra arm and hand is much rarer.
As it continues to grow it is starting to affect Gaurab’s sleep, and his mum Kalpena is worried her son soon won’t be able to fit into T-shirts.
Now Kalpena and husband Ashish face the impossible decision of whether or not to have the fifth limb removed – knowing that it could leave Gaurab paralysed.
Gaurab’s parents are extremely worried, and don’t know what to doCredit: TLC
The spinal split is not as uncommon, but the third arm is extremely rareCredit: TLC
What is spina bifida?
* During the first month in the womb, the embryo grows a structure called the neural tube – which will eventually form the spine and nervous system.* When something goes wrong with this process, it’s known as ‘neural tube defect’.* The spinal cord connects all the body’s nerves to the brain.* It is protected by arches of bone attached to the back of vertebral bodies.* In cases of spina bifida, the arches of bone don’t close properly – leaving the spinal cord vulnerable to damage.* In the most extreme cases, damage to the spinal cord can leave a person paralysed.
Little Gaurab was not previously taken to hospital because of advice from religious leadersCredit: TLC
The family live in a deeply religious Hindu community in the Tanahun district, and Gaurab has never before received a medical opinion because spiritual shamans told his parents not to go to doctors.
Appearing on TLC’s Body Bizarre, Ashish says: “The doctor advised us to take the baby to hospital within five days of the birth. Because of our poor finances, we couldn’t go.
“People said he was a form of God, and bestowed money.”
Some thought Guarab was a GODCredit: TLC
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The tests only led to more worryCredit: TLCKalpena adds: “Some said an operation needs to be done, and he has to be taken to hospital so a proper check-up can be done. Who should we listen to? What should we do? We couldn’t decide.
“For treatment, we went to the shaman’s palace. They said not to remove the arm.
“If you remove it, it could be bad for you. They said God has given this to you so accept it and preserve it.”
Gaurab is a lively little boy, who hardly sits still and is completely unaware of his deformity.
His parents now feel differently about the growth, with Ashish saying: “If it is possible, we would like to get him operated on. There must be some solution.”
Guarab could be left paralysed…Credit: TLC
…and his parents have no idea what to doCredit: TLC
Seeking advice, the family make a 220km journey south to the capital of Kathmandu, and the Grande International Hospital, for scans.
There, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Chakra Raj Pandey tells the cameras: “The extra arm itself is not a problem. Inside the spine is the biggest worry for all of us.
“If that is not addressed, the child is going to develop some sort of neurological problems in the future, making him maybe, I will not say 100 per cent, wheelchair-bound.”
However, Gaurab’s spinal nerves could also be damaged in an operation to remove the third arm – possibly leaving him paralysed.
The narrator explains: “Neither option is risk free, and the choice is too difficult for G’s parents.
“So his grandmother is returning to the village, to discuss the options with the family elders.”