A young girl from Bangladesh is facing a challenging battle as she copes with a rare medical condition that has caused her right arm to grow to an astonishing size. At just two years old, Shakiba's once-small lump has grown into a massive growth weighing 6lbs (3kgs) that now engulfs her entire arm and is spreading toward her chest.
When Shakiba was born, doctors noticed a small lump under her right arm, but it wasn’t until she turned two that the growth became much more prominent, severely limiting her ability to walk or even sit properly due to the sheer weight of her arm.
Her parents, Chabina Begum, 21, and Abdul Sattar, 23, have been desperately seeking medical help for their daughter. They suspect that Shakiba’s condition is related to haemangioma, a non-cancerous growth caused by a cluster of blood vessels beneath the skin. However, without the results of more advanced tests, doctors can't confirm the exact cause yet.
Dr. Shamim Hossain, a surgeon at the Chapai Nawabganj district hospital, shared that a team of doctors has been assembled to investigate Shakiba's condition. “While haemangioma is often treatable, this appears to be an extensive case that will require specialized care,” he explained.
Shakiba's condition has left her unable to play with other children in her village, as the growth is both physically restricting and causes others to fear their children might contract the same illness. Her parents expressed their anguish, saying, "She wants to play with the children, but she can’t. Every time she tries to walk, she falls."
The family’s financial struggles have only added to their burden. When Shakiba was born, her parents sold their belongings and borrowed money to seek treatment, but no local doctors could provide answers. They were advised to travel to Dhaka, the capital, for specialized care, but with Abdul’s modest monthly income of £30, it seemed impossible.
Fortunately, after a local activist shared Shakiba’s story on social media, the case caught the attention of doctors and medical professionals who have now stepped in to offer help.
Abdul remains hopeful that the doctors will find a solution that will allow his daughter to live a more normal life. “We want her to grow up like other children and have the chance to play,” he said, expressing his deep concern for Shakiba’s future.
The family is now eagerly awaiting the results of her tests, hoping for a path toward treatment and recovery.