Thursday April 18, 2024
MOGADISHU (HOL) — A young boy in Somalia has been identified as the fourth person in the world to have four kidneys, a rare medical anomaly typically discovered only through specific diagnostic tests.
The discovery was made at the Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital, previously known as Digfeer after the boy sought treatment for kidney pain. Tests revealed his condition, according to Dr. Abdikarin Hussein Mohamed Gabayre, a urologist and male reproductive surgeon involved in the patient's care.
"The diagnosis was quite surprising, as only three other cases exist worldwide," Dr. Gabayre told the BBC Somali Service. He explained that a unique treatment plan was required due to the boy's uncommon condition.
Medical Procedure and Implications
Following the diagnosis, the patient underwent laser surgery to remove a kidney stone, which was causing significant discomfort. "The surgery was successful, and the patient could return home," Dr. Gabayre added.
Despite the extra organs, the boy's kidneys usually function. The kidneys on his right side operate independently, while those on his left are partially fused. However, the presence of four kidneys makes the boy more susceptible to kidney stones, a condition exacerbated by factors like consuming contaminated water and red meat.
Dr. Gabayre
Long-term Health Outlook
Dr. Gabayre noted that having four kidneys does not enhance organ function or confer any health benefits. He emphasized that the patient's experience of pain from typical conditions like kidney stones might be more intense due to the additional organs.
Doctors have recommended continuous monitoring and special care for the boy, given his unique medical condition. Removing any two of his kidneys would mirror the impact of typical double kidney removal, underscoring the absence of redundancy benefits in his case.
- With files from the BBC