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Fatima Khatun, mother of Roona Begum, 1, who underwent surgery for hydrocephalus, carries her daughter as they arrive at the airport in Agartala in the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, on August 2.
An Indian girl with hydrocephalus who drew the concern of well-wishers around the world appears to be doing better following a set of surgeries.
Roona Begum, one year old, was discharged from the hospital Friday after doctors were able to shrink her skull from 94cm to 58cm, according to AFP.
Roona will still need another surgery in six months’ time to make her skull proportional to her body – but for now, she is on her way home to the northeastern state of Tripura in the care of her parents.
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Doctors perform surgery on Roona Begum at the private Fortis hospital in Gurgaon on the outskirts of New Delhi.
RELATED: INDIAN GIRL WITH HYDROCEPHALUS GETS SURGERY
“Roona’s health has improved significantly … We have discharged the baby this morning and she is fit to travel,” neurosurgeon Sandeep Vaishya of Fortis Memorial Research Institute said.
Roona arrived at the private hospital in April after Fortis offered to pay for her care.
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Roona – with her mother, father and medical team – will undergo another reconstructive surgery in six months to make her skull proportional to her body, neurosurgeon Sandeep Vaishya said.
Hydrocephalus is a life-threatening condition in which excessive cerebrospinal fluid around the brain causes the head to swell. It can lead to neurological and visual impairment if not treated.
RELATED: FAMILY UNABLE TO AFFORD MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR DAUGHTER WITH HYDROCEPHALUS
“When she came here, she was almost immobile. Now, she is moving her head from side to side easily, it shows that her neck muscles are already getting stronger,” Vaishya said.
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Roona and her father, Abdul Rahman, arrive at their home in Jirania in the northeastern Indian state of Tripura following Roona’s discharge from the hospital.
“The next big step will be for her to sit up.
“Neurologically as well the baby shows several signs of improvement. She can see better, her limb movements are much better.”
Runa’s parents, who could not afford medical care and had feared for her life, are overjoyed to be taking their baby home, they told AFP.
“She is so strong, she has gone through so many surgeries and she is still here and she’s in good spirits,” father Abdul Rahman, 18, said.
