Disturbing Photos: 2-Year-Old Boy's Head Swollen To The Size Of A Football Due To Excess Fluid In His Brain

A baby boy's head has swollen to more than three times its normal size due to a medical condition. Two-year-old Emon, from southern Bangladesh, has a head that weighs 20 lbs (9kg) - the same weight as an average one-year-old boy. Emon was delivered by Caesarean section with a head that was slightly bigger than usual, but in the past two years it, continued to expand. The huge weight of his head leaves the toddler unable to talk, walk or even move his limbs - meaning his parents have to take care of him constantly.

Desperate to find help for their son, his parents anxiously rushed to nearby villages to see different doctors - but nobody could diagnose what was wrong with him. They also paid for spiritual treatments for Emon, but nothing worked out and his head kept expanding. Finally, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which is caused by a buildup of fluid inside the skull, increasing pressure and causing damage to the brain.

The brain and spine are surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is essential for cushioning the organ, providing nutrients and removing waste products. The organ constantly produces new CSF (about a pint a day), while old fluid is released from the brain and absorbed into the blood vessels. However, if this process is interrupted, the level of CSF can quickly build-up, placing pressure on the brain, DailyMail reports. 

Congenital hydrocephalus, present in babies when they're born, can be caused by birth defects, such as spina bifida - where an infant's spine doesn't develop properly. It can also occur as a result of an infection the mother develops during pregnancy, such as mumps or rubella (German measles). If left untreated, it carries the risk of long-term mental and physical disabilities as a result of permanent brain damage. Doctors have told Emon's parents if he is taken abroad for foreign treatment, medics could help him.

MailOnline had earlier reported the story of a similar victim Roona Begum - who was given just months to live before she had even reached her second birthday after her head swelled to three times its normal size.

Second victim, Roona Begum pictured after a successful operation 

After a series of operations at a hospital in New Delhi, the excess fluid was drained from Roona' head and her skull was dramatically reduced in size to 58 cm. She is pictured after the last operation.