Behold, Sokoto’s ‘two-headed’ baby

Though she has been referred to the Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University Teaching Hospital from the Gumi General Hospital, where she had been rushed to after delivery, they are yet to go to UDUTH. She explains why they didn’t immediately go to the teaching hospital, “We are waiting for the baby to be strong before we […]

Though she has been referred to the Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University Teaching Hospital from the Gumi General Hospital, where she had been rushed to after delivery, they are yet to go to UDUTH. She explains why they didn’t immediately go to the teaching hospital, “We are waiting for the baby to be strong before we go to UDUTH as we were told at Gumi that the baby is not strong enough to be operated on now.”

But does the baby really have two heads? Dr. Nasir Jinjri, a neuro-surgeon with UDUTH sheds light on this. He says what the baby has is encephalocele, that is, abnormal protrusion of the brain. He adds that it is a congenital problem that some children are born with. The defect is noted to be caused by failure of the neural tube to close completely during fetal development.

Dr. Jinjiri disclosed that the hospital records such cases about twice a month. He notes that the condition is more common among those with poor social status and very common among mothers who have advanced in age, that is, those above 40, as well as mothers in their teens. He says with an operation, the abnormality can be corrected.

But can affected babies live a normal life? The expert told Weekly Trust that babies with the condition may have decreased intellectual ability. He also linked the disorder to deficiency of some basic minerals like folic acid and zinc. According to him, it is very easy to detect during pregnancy in which case, delivery can be planned as some women carrying pregnancy of babies with such conditions do have difficulty during delivery.  

Malam Sani and Malami Saratu are yet to take the baby to UDUTH saying they want her to be strong first but the neurosurgeon says they can bring the baby to the hospital as she is. Malam Sani has also solicited the assistance of the state government, individuals and corporate organizations towards the operation. Weekly Trust learnt that the Sokoto State government has pledged to assist the family.