Brain disease inflates Bangladeshi toddler's head to the size of a football

A two-year-old boy born in Bangladesh is suffering from a serious brain condition that has resulted in his head getting swollen to more than three times its normal size. Little Emon’s head weighs a shocking 9kgs, which is the same weight as an average one-year-old boy. He has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus which occurs when excess fluid is collected inside the skull, eventually damaging the brain.

Emon has to be constantly under his parents' watch because of his delicate condition. (Credit: YouTube)

The child, who was delivered via Caesarean section, was born with a head that was only slightly bigger than usual. But in the past two years, his head went on to expand so much that it left him unable to talk, walk or even move his limbs. His tragic situation has compelled his parents to keep vigil at his side at all times, reports the Daily Mail. Doctors have told his parents that special medical treatment available abroad could help him.

Doctors have advised Emon's parents to take him abroad for better treatment options. (Credit: YouTube)

Congenital hydrocephalus can be caused by birth defects like spina bifida – which occurs when an infant’s spine develops abnormally. Even an infection that a mother might develop during pregnancy (like mumps or rubella) can put the unborn foetus at risk of this disease. In the absence of adequate treatment, this condition can lead to long-term mental and physical disabilities resulting from brain damage. The major symptoms of hydrocephalus are headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion and vision problems.