Indian man with enormous 20kg arm is forced to leave his home

May 26, 2016

Bablu suffers from local gigantism, which caused arm to grow excessively
He was called ‘devil’s child’ by neighbours who didn’t understand condition
The 25-year-old was ‘disowned by his family’ and decided to flee to Mumbai
Local journalist spent time with him recently and filmed his daily struggles

Jake Polden For Mailonline

Published:
11:39 EST, 25 May 2016

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Updated:
17:41 EST, 25 May 2016

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A man with a rare condition that caused one of his arms to grow to an incredible size was forced to migrate after being ‘disowned by his family’.

Bablu suffers from local gigantism and was cruelly dubbed a ‘devil’s child’ by his neighbours.

According to a local journalist, they didn’t understand why his arm had developed in such a way.

As a result, Bablu was forced to flee his hometown to start a new life for in Mumbai.

It is not known exactly where the 25-year-old was previously living in India.

Prejudice: Bablu suffers from local gigantism and was cruelly dubbed a ‘devil’s child’ by his neighbours

Heartbreaking: The rare condition caused one of Bablu’s arms to grow to an incredible size and he was ‘disowned by his family’

The journalist recently followed Bablu around the streets of the city and filmed him as he went about his daily routine.

The video shows Bablu eating at a restaurant. He demonstrates the difficulty he has in doing something as simple as holding a cup of water.

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Speaking about the experience, the journalist said: ‘Bablu has been disowned by his family as his neighbours think he is ‘a devil’s child’.

‘The stigma that comes with the rare condition has forced him to migrate to Mumbai.

‘He thought he would disappear in the crowd of millions and start making a living, but he met the same fate in the city as people were scared of his hand.’

Sad: Bablu was forced to flee his hometown to start a new life for himself in Mumbai but is still experiencing prejudice in the city

Struggle: A journalist recently followed Bablu around the streets of Mumbai and filmed him as he went about his daily routine

The journalist explained Bablu has also found it extremely difficult to get a job of any kind since moving to Mumbai.

‘If he is treated properly, his bulky hand that weighs 20kg can be reduced to normal size,’ the journalist continued.

‘However, [doctors] underlined that it will never be like a normal hand as the condition has reached an advanced stage.’

Gigantism, also known as acromegaly, is the result of an over-productive growth hormone.

Local gigantism causes a certain part of the body to grow excessively – most commonly fingers and toes – but as is the case with Bablu, it can also result in an entire limb being enlarged.

Hard: The journalist explained that the 25-year-old has also found it hard trying to get a job of any kind

A video shows Bablu demonstrating the difficulty he has in doing something as simple as holding a cup

WHAT IS GIGANTISM? THE CONDITION THAT CAUSES EXCESSIVE GROWTH

The pituitary gland, which is just below the brain, is responsible for producing the growth hormone and releasing it into the blood.

When this occurs it stimulates the liver to produce another hormone, which in turn causes muscles and bones to grow.

The process is both natural and essential for the repair of body tissues, as well as the growth of the human body.

Acromegaly or gigantism occurs when the body produces too much growth hormone, resulting in body tissue growing excessively.

This usually occurs as the result of a benign brain tumour in the pituitary gland.

The condition is not considered to be heredity as it is generally the result of a genetic change within a cell of the pituitary gland, but it can occasionally run in the family.

The tumour can also affect the production of other hormones, such as thyroid hormones released from the thyroid gland.

It has been estimated that around four to every 13 in 100,000 people may have the condition, which can affect people at any age. Most people are diagnosed around the age of 40.

Typical features include prominent facial features, an enlarged tongue, abnormal height and very big limbs.

Source: NHS