Baby born with rare medical mystery thrives

Angelito was born with two tubes for a nose.

Baby Angelito was born with two tubes in place of a nose but his doctors are optimistic about his condition. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Daily Mail reported the medical mystery as well as Angelito's doctors' belief the infant will soon appear normal.

The doctors say Angelito, which means cherub or "little angel", is able to breathe and will one day undergo plastic surgery where he will be given a nose.

Angelito's young parents, 20-year-old Lorena Zavaleta and his unnamed 25-year-old father, remain beside the newborn who was delivered at the hospital of Caleta in the city of Chimbote.

The boy was transferred to the Hospital del Niño, where the surgery will be conducted.

According to the Peruvian infant's pediatrician, Dr. Jose Castillo, Angelito is in stable condition.

Castillo explained that the abnormal tubes' growth was due to a very rare genetic deformity known as the Patau syndrome. The syndrome appears in one in every 15,000 births.

Angelito's respiratory system and his heart continue to work just fine, added the pediatrician. He said Angelito was also keeping down the food he was given but the surgery is still required to prevent other unforeseen complications.

 "He doesn't have difficulty breathing now, but he will need plastic surgery," said Carlos Arrestegui Ramos, the head of neonatal care at the hospital. He said they have to conduct more tests to determine other possible effects of the condition to Angelito's body.

In showing support of the surgery, Nuevo Chimbote district mayor, Valentin Fernandez, sent a gift of diapers and milk to the infant, and some money to be used during the family's stay in Lima.

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