Baby Born With 4 Ears, No Genital Dies In Makurdi

A baby born in Makurdi on Thursday with four ear lobes and no genitals has died, a hospital official said. The baby was delivered by Mbanengen Emmanuel at about 5:30 p.m. at Yima Hospital, located in International Market area, a suburb of Makurdi in Benue.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, John Dzike, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday that the baby died “few hours after delivery”.

Mr. Dzike said the baby also had its intestines exposed at the lower part of the abdomen.

According to him, it is the second time a baby with such type of complications was delivered at the hospital this year. He explained that the defect was caused by malformation during pregnancy.

“This is a case of congenital malformation. Some women use un-prescribed drugs during pregnancy that is why it is very important to attend ante-natal clinics, especially in the first 12 weeks.

“Diseases like virus, chicken pox, and mumps which are viral, can cause congenital malformation,” Mr. Dzike explained.

He advised pregnant women to always attend ante-natal clinics and avoid self-medication.

The baby’s mother refused to talk to journalists.