Pakistani baby born with enlarged head undergoes life-saving surgery

A kind stranger paid for a Pakistani baby with an enlarged head to fly to the United States so he could receive life-saving treatment.

Months after his birth, 20-month-old Ibtisam Faisal developed hydrocephalus - a defect causing his skull to swell to 73cm, according to the Daily Mail. It is believed that he became infected with a form of meningitis when he was just a few months old. The delay in receiving treatment led to the swelling.

The size of Ibtisam's head made it difficult for him to sleep with his eyes closed, or move freely and he had to be confined to his bed. Doctors diagnosed him with craniosynostosis - a condition where parts of his skull is fused in the womb, causing a misshapen head.

In August last year, doctors warned his family that the child's only chance of survival was treatment abroad. After months of campaigning for help, an anonymous caller who became aware of his case offered to fly Ibtisam and his mother in March to a leading surgeon in Dallas and pay for the surgery.

Ibtisam has since undergone two successful brain surgeries, which has reduced the size of his to 61cm. With more operations scheduled in the coming months, experts are hopeful he will be able to sit up and enjoy a normal childhood.