A two-week-old infant, born prematurely at seven months, has been deserted by her parents due to a rare skin condition.
The newborn, hailing from western India, is currently under the care of her 50-year-old grandfather, Dilip Dode.
Weighing just 800 grams (1.7 pounds), medical professionals have indicated that the baby girl is suffering from Intra-Uterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) alongside some chromosomal abnormalities, which signify inadequate fetal growth during pregnancy.
The grandfather expressed his gratitude to the hospital for providing free medical care for his granddaughter, as reported by The Mirror.
He lamented, “It is truly heartbreaking that even her own parents have turned their backs on her, but I am prepared to do everything possible to ensure her survival.”
Neither the newborn’s mother, Mamata Dode, 25, nor her father, Ajay Dode, 25, have come to visit her at the hospital.
After noticing that the baby was becoming unwell, the grandfather traveled 138 km to the hospital in Mumbai, having previously been feeding her goat’s milk from a spoon for two weeks.
He mentioned that his son and daughter-in-law, who already have a three-year-old daughter, had anticipated a healthy baby but were dismayed by her unusual characteristics.
He recounted, as per The Mirror: “When we first received the baby, we were in disbelief. Friends and family gathered to see her, but upon catching sight of her, they fled in terror.”
The 50-year-old caretaker revealed that others were reluctant to hold the baby, fearing they might contract her condition.
His only hope is for her to lead a normal life, and he intends to persuade her parents to accept her.
Wadia Hospital in Mumbai, where the infant is receiving care, has agreed to cover her treatment and accommodation expenses for Mr. Dode, estimated to be around £5,000.
Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, the hospital’s CEO, stated, according to The Mirror: “She arrived dehydrated, but she is now responding positively to medical treatment and showing signs of improvement.”
Hospital doctors are committed to treating the baby after determining her official diagnosis.
They plan to conduct karyotyping, a test that analyzes chromosomes in cell samples to identify any genetic issues.
Dr. Bodhanwala indicated that the infant would require an extended stay at the hospital.