It would take few more weeks to decide the future course of treatment of the 18-month-old girl from Tripura suffering from a rare illness that has caused her head to swell, as doctors say it is one of most complex cases and her clinical parameters are "compromised".
Roona Begum, whose head has grown to an "unprecedented 94 cm" due to severe Hydrocephalus-- accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), had excoriations and sores at the base of her head.
She has a deep chest infection and an abnormally high Total Leucocyte Count (TLC), which was diminishing her ability to fight infection, said a statement from Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon.
"At this point her clinical parameters are compromised. The child is under strict observation", the hospital said, adding that the girl is also severely malnourished.
Hydrocephalus is accumulation of CSF around brain leading to increase in intracranial pressure and resulting in enlargement of head.
The hospital said that the extent of Hydrocephalus was amongst the largest documented in the history of medicine.
"Her head circumference has been progressively growing since birth and is an unprecedented 94-centimetres, making it one of the most complex of cases," said the statement.
"While investigations are on, our first priority is to nurse the child to a level where she can tolerate interventions of any kind. This might take a few weeks, before we decide on the future line of treatment," said Dr Sandeep Vaishya, Additional Director, Neurosurgery, Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurgaon, the doctor in-charge of her case.
Roona is being evaluated by a team of multi-disciplinary super specialists comprising Paediatric Neurologists, Psychologists, Cardiologists, Ophthalmologist to check her vital functions.
She was flown to the hospital from her village on April 16 after Fortis Foundation offered to sponsor her treatment.
