Baby Born With “Heart-Shaped Head:” Family Seeks Help for Newborn With Large Tumor on His Face

International   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Apr 1, 2014   |   5:31PM   |   Washington, DC

The family of a newborn baby in Indonesia is actively seeking help for the newborn son, who was born with a large tumor on his face that makes him appear to have a heart-shaped head.

Muhammad Nafi, who is two weeks old, was born with a huge facial tumour and the London Daily Mail reports that his family is trying to raise money for him to have surgery, though the newspaper doesn’t have an indication of where help can be sent at this time.

nafiThe tumour has left his skull unformed on one side of his head and doctors are concerned that removing the tumor would leave his brain exposed and potentially cause further medical problems.

Muhammad is the second child of mother Mailani, 22, and father Buasin, 32, who works as a farmer in a remote and isolated area of West Kalimantan.

As the newspaper reports:

“I am confused of what I have to do with my son. I can only submit myself to the fate,’ Mrs Nafi said.

Muhammad is currently being cared for at St Antonius Hospital in Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan province.

nafi2He was born weighing a healthy 7lbs with the help of a midwife. His mother said she experienced no major problems during her pregnancy, although she did feel nauseous from the fourth month onwards.

The parents are now trying to raise funds to pay for the growth to be removed, although surgery will have to be delayed until Muhammad is at least three months old.

At present, the operation is considered too risky as the tumour has left the baby’s skull open and unformed on the right half of his face, leaving his brain exposed.

The tumour has affected the functioning of Muhammad right eye, but more extensive examinations are needed to see if his other organs are working normally.

‘Hopefully my son will be recovered soon,’ Mr Nafi said.