The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. John Dzike, has disclosed that a baby born in Makurdi yesterday with four ear lobes and no genitals has died.
The baby was delivered by Mrs Mbanengen Emmanuel at about 5:30 p.m at Yima Hospital, located in International Market area, a suburb of Makurdi in Benue.
According to the doctor, the baby died “few hours after delivery”.
Dzike said the baby also had its intestines exposed at the lower part of the abdomen.
He added that 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,” Dzike explained.
He advised pregnant women to always attend ante-natal clinics and avoid self medication.
Efforts to speak with the mother of the baby proved abortive as she declined comment.
