12-year-old's body is covered in thick black hair from head to toe

May 5, 2016  21:37

A 12-year-old girl from Bangladesh is suffering from a rare condition so severe that her body is covered in thick black hair from head to toe.

Bithi Akhtar, from Tangail district in central Bangladesh, was apparently born with 'werewolf syndrome', according to local media reports.

However other medical experts suggest she may also be suffering from hirsutism  - excessive growth of hair that is usually thick and dark.  

Her mother Beauty Akhtar, 27, said: 'My daughter was born with thick black hair that looked like wool all over her body.

'We sought help from several doctors but no one could treat her completely. Now, at least, the hair has stopped growing any longer.' 

But last year, as she neared puberty, Bithi's mother noticed her daughter's breasts had started growing at an abnormal rate.

And by then end of the year, they were so big she was not even able to stand straight under the weight.

Eventually she was forced her to stop going to school.

'Her breasts grew so fast that they became really heavy and started sagging below her stomach.'

'She would cry all day long because of the immense pain due to the weight. She could not walk or sit straight.'

Despite being a bright student, Bithi had to stop attending school because of the pain and jibes of her peers.

Bithi's miserable condition left her parents both distressed and worried for her future.

Their two other children do not suffer any health problems.

Their father, Abdur Razzak, who ferries passengers on a rented motorcycle and makes £30 a day, took a loan from bank and Bithi to the capital her to Dhaka.

There, he had her admitted her to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujb Medical College.

He said: 'I have already spent a lot of money on Bithi's treatment even though that has not paid off well.

My daughter's condition has shattered me. I am heartbroken to see her in pain and live a life of recluse

'But my daughter's condition has shattered me. I am heartbroken to see her in pain and live a life of recluse.

'I want to give her a normal life and I am determined to get help from specialists.

'I borrowed £100 from bank and brought her straight to the hospital. I am hoping they will give the best treatment to Bithi.'

Doctors are now looking for possible treatments for her.

Dr Farid Uddin, Head of the Department of Hormones at the hospital said: 'This looks like a severe case of abnormal hormones.

'While we think some of the problems will go away with medicine, we are yet to ascertain her medical history and causes and start the treatment.'

 

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