In a baffling medical case, a baby born with severely deformed facial features — including the absence of visible eyes, nose, and ears — has survived birth and is now under intensive medical care. The rare condition has shocked doctors and sparked widespread curiosity among villagers.

The incident took place in Raipur Sonauri village, located in the Chakghat tehsil of Rewa district, of central India’s Madhya Pradesh, on the morning of Wednesday, July 23.

Visuals show a newborn with a misshapen head and a face lacking clearly defined features. The absence of visible eyes, nose, and ears gave the baby an appearance many described as “alien-like.” The infant is seen lying in an ICU incubator, covered in thick, cracked skin with visible redness. In another moment, the mother is seen holding the baby in her arms, her expression filled with shock and concern, as hospital staff surround her.

According to the family, Priyanka had undergone routine checkups and multiple ultrasounds throughout her pregnancy at both government and private hospitals. All reports had indicated normal fetal development. In fact, an ultrasound performed just a day before delivery suggested that the baby was healthy and not due for another two months, making the premature birth and abnormal condition even more shocking for the family.

The mother, Priyanka Patel, experienced sudden labor pains late Tuesday night and was rushed to the local Community Health Center, where she gave birth through a normal delivery.

Due to the baby’s critical condition and visible abnormalities, doctors at the primary health center referred the child to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Rewa city for specialized care. Pediatricians at the facility suspect a rare congenital disorder may be responsible. They believe that some facial features might be compressed or covered under abnormal tissue and have stressed that a detailed medical evaluation is needed to confirm any diagnosis.

Dr. Pawan Tiwari, a pediatrician at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, said, “The baby has a very thick layer of skin with visible cracks. The eyelids are turned inward, and there are no eyelashes — due to which the eyes haven’t developed externally. This condition is known as ‘Harlequin ichthyosis,’ a rare genetic skin disorder. Our next step is to conduct a detailed diagnosis to determine if the eyeballs are intact and whether the child has any vision.”

He further explained that the condition might be the result of a genetic mutation or family history involving similar cases. “As this is a severe skin-related disorder, we need to take extreme care. The baby’s skin is highly vulnerable and exposed, which increases the risk of infections. Protecting the child from environmental exposure is critical during the early stages,” Dr. Tiwari added.

As the baby continues to receive treatment in the hospital’s intensive care unit, the case has triggered a mix of concern, speculation, and superstition in the area. Medical experts urge the public to avoid drawing conclusions and wait for scientific assessments.
The incident highlights the unpredictability of prenatal development — and the limits of current diagnostic tools when it comes to detecting extremely rare congenital conditions.