The Baby Born With Six Legs 'Has Successful Operation'

A baby boy born with six legs has had four of his limbs successfully removed by surgeons in Pakistan, according to reports.

Umar Farooq was born with a rare hereditary disorder called polymelia in which an embryo starts as conjoined twins in the womb.

One of the twins eventually disintegrates, leaving behind additional limbs that get attached to the remaining foetus.

"A team of five experienced doctors have successfully separated the extra legs and limbs from the baby. He is very much safe and secure," Dr Jamal Raza, director of the National Institute of Child Health in Karachi, told Dawn.com.

"The extra limbs and legs were the result of a genetic disease which would affect only one in a million or more babies."

Dr Raza said that despite being born with extra limbs, Umar "was as normal as other children".
"Before surgeons could operate they said they had to work out which of the limbs belonged to the boy and which to his twin," Dr Raza told the International Business Times.

Umar's father, Imran Sheikh, was able to pay for his son's operation after his plea for financial help was met by the governor of the Sindh province in Pakistan.

"We are a poor family. I am thankful to the government and doctors for helping in the successful operation of my baby," Mr. Sheikh told the Pakistan Observer.