Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
Dozens of families are lining up to adopt the baby born with a rare skin disease who hit the headlines after being allegedly abandoned in the Italian hospital.
Four-month-old Giovannino was born in the Sant’Anna hospital in Turin, northern Italy and was diagnosed with a rare condition called harlequin-type ichthyosis, which is believed to be the reason his parents abandoned him in the intensive care unit where he has remained hospitalised since birth.
The condition sees babies born with thickened skin over nearly the entire body at birth and often leaves the tots with a life expectancy of just a few weeks.
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The baby is being cared for by the hospital staff and after the case was widely reported in Italian media on Wednesday the hospital has reportedly received dozens of offers to adopt the tot.
Giovannino is reportedly ready to leave hospital but still has signs of the disease, with his skin covered in scales and his eyelids and lips upside down.
He has malformations to his nose, ears and fingers and doctors try to avoid him being in direct sunlight to avoid dryness. He undergoes hydration treatment several times a day.
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According to local media, the baby has no neurological issues.
Daniele Farina, the Head of the neonatal unit of the hospital told local media: “He smiles when listening to music. He is a beautiful baby who loves to be walked around.”
He added: “There has been an explosion of phone calls, but the selection should be correct.”
The authorities in Turin are trying to contact the tot’s parents to find out the reasons they abandoned him and are searching for a temporary home for the baby. Due to the special care he requires they are trying to find a specialist to take care of him.
Reports state one of the offers comes from the charity institute called Piccola Casa Della Divina Provvidenza (Small House of the Divine Providence), also known as Cottolengo due to the name of its founder, Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo, who work in the assistance of disabled people and orphans.
The charity reportedly sent a letter saying “the Piccola Casa is ready to be your home” and added “we would like to think about a welcome worthy of the infinite value of your existence with all you could need in your particular situation”.
It is unclear where the tot’s new home will be.
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