A couple have dubbed their baby “baby ninja turtle” after a rare skin condition left a fatty lump resembling a turtle’s shell on his back.
To the bewilderment of parents and doctors, James McCallum was born with a large lump covering most of his back.
His mother, Caitlin, says an ultrasound revealed nothing before she gave birth to the little boy in August 2021, at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida.
Caitlin McCallum | FB
The 35-year-old mother initially thought it was a birthmark. But her worries began when she noticed scales appearing, according to the mirror.
“At first the spot covered 75% of her back and started to clump and enlarge,” she says.
The lump soon turns into what looks like a huge mole covering most of James’ back.
Caitlin McCallum | FB
It would take two months for the young family to receive a diagnosis: a giant congenital melanocytic nevus.
It is a benign tumor-like deformity caused by a defect in the growth of pigment cells.
From February 2022 to May 2022, the little boy undergoes two series of surgeries. He can lie on his back soon.
He then underwent a tissue expansion to replace the mole with healthy skin from the remaining skin on his back.
Caitlin McCallum | FB
There is still only one last operation to undergo which aims at the complete removal of the nevus.
“Before she was kidnapped, she slept really fast and was like a turtle shell on her back,” Caitlin said, but she said he definitely feels a lot more relaxed now.
“The doctor told us that once he removed it, it was over. He’ll only have a few scars,” she added, referring to the upcoming operation.
There are no bad sides to this whole adventure, the young mother joked: “He can tell a good story and say it was a shark bite or something.”
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