A little boy with cysts the size of a grapefruit on his face has defied the odds to take his first steps, despite the weight of his head making it hard for him to walk and balance.

Alex Grabowski was born in January 2017 with cystic hygroma -- fluid-filled sacs around his face and in his airways. The tot has faced eight operations to reduce the growths, each taking a mammoth eight hours.

Single mum Emily Grabowski, 35, found out Alex, now four, had cystic hygroma at her 20-week scan.

A little boy with cysts the size of a grapefruit on his face has defied the odds to take his first steps - despite the weight of his head making it hard for him to walk and balance.

Alex Grabowski was born in January 2017 with cystic hygroma - a collection fluid-filled sacs known as cysts - on his face and in his airways and the tot has faced eight operations to reduce the growths - each taking a mammoth eight hours. Single mum Emily Grabowski, 35, found out Alex, now four, had cystic hygroma at her 20-week scan. She expected the worst and was scared for what her unborn child would look like, but she instantly fell in love with her little boy when he arrived.

Alex was born via an induced c-section and had to spend six months in Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, while he had a debulking surgery - to reduce the size of the cysts - and Emily was trained how to care for him.

He has continued to have the procedures throughout his life but has made vast improvements the last year and can independently walk and his speech is beginning to improve.

Emily, a primary carer for Alex, from Midsomer Norton, Somerset, said: “I was scared to know what Alex would look like.

“There were so many unknowns.

“But as soon as I saw him I thought he was gorgeous and burst into tears.

“Caring for him is hard work, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We don’t know what the future will hold, but I can only hope.