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Toddler with eight limbs branded 'reincarnation of Hindu god' to undergo life-saving operation
Last updated at 14:22pm on 05.11.07A toddler born with eight limbs and believed by some to be the reincarnation of the multi-limbed Hindu goddess Vishnu, is set to undergo a 40-hour operation to remove half of her limbs.
Lakshmi Tatma was born joined to a 'parasitic twin' and will go under the knife at the hands of 30 surgeons to remove two of her useless arms and legs.
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Torment: Lakshmi can not walk or crawl and is unlikely to survive her teens without surgery
The headless 'twin' is joined to Lakshmi at the pelvis and has its own spinal column and kidney.
Without the operation the little girl would never be able to walk or crawl and would be unlikely to live past her early teens, doctors said.
The extraordinary eight-limbed baby was born in a poverty-stricken region of Bihar, India - on the day devoted to the celebration of the four-armed Hindu deity Vishnu.
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Fused: Lakshmi's body is joined with the parasitical twin which is attached to her body at her pelvis
Her mother Poonam Tatma said she believed her daughter was "a miracle, a reincarnation" of Vishnu.
Dr Sharan Patil, who will be leading the surgery at the country's Narayana Health City, in Bangalore, said: "Fortunately, Lakshmi has one complete body with a near perfect set of organs.
"Her skeletal system involves two bodies which are fused together at the level of the pelvis.
"The operation itself, although presents several challenges, is not the most complex in the world. What is highly unusual in Lakshmi's case is precisely how her bodies are fused, almost mirroring each other."
The Hindu god Vishnu is the preserver and protector of creation
Parents Poonam Devi and Shambu Das, who earn about 50p a day as casual labourers, were turned away from several hospitals before her plight was taken up by Dr Patil.
The operation is expected to cost about £100,000.
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Hope: Lakshmi and mother Poonam prepare for the operation
Poonam, who gave birth to Lakshmi on the celebration day of the four-armed Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity after whom the new born was named, said: "She is a miracle, a special blessing from God. But she is my daughter and she cannot live like this."
Laskhmi is the subject of a Channel 4 documentary as part of the Bodyshocks series.
Reader views (57)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Good luck. My God Ganesh Deva and Vishnu Deva are with you.
- Ram C. Pradhan,, Dwarka, New Delhi, INDIA
I hope you and your family are doing well. Lakshmi is really cute. I hope she has a wonderful life. I will pray for you and your family every day.
- Billie J Webber, Bangor, United States
You are one of the cutest little girls I have ever seen. I am very happy that you and your family are doing well, and I wish you all the best of luck. Take care, and have a wonderful life.
- Sonora Owens, Ellsworth, United States
she is so cute. Im happy the surgery went well. Good luck with every thing else.
p.s. im only 12 but i dont care i just love learning more about the surgery and every thing else
- Maitland, fishers indana
Lakshmi,
I read this story with the though of sadness. In the picture with you and your mother I see nothing but happiness, and with that my thoughts turn to hope. You ARE a miracle and blessing from God and I wish you and your family well. God Bless.
- Kristen Destevens, Syracuse, NY
Dearest Lakshi, I pray for you everyday when I first saw you on the news. The Lord is kind to provide you such a good health, it didn't matter whether you're in that stage as long as you live long.
God bless.
- Bernadette.Dongobir, Nauru
I would just like to know what on earth is causing all these conditions and why it is only happening in India? Why these parents find nothing wrong with this and who is going to be paying for the surgery since they are all poor?
- Pauline, Gaborone,Botswana
Eight Legged Baby.
- Ashira, NY, NY
Dear Lakshi, you are truly a miraculous child!
I can only pray to the lord to give her blessing and good health.
Makes you think, is GOD there or no?
- Kalpana, Pune, India
I watched the Bodyshock programme last night and I was inspired by the courage and dignity of Lakshmi's parents. They put their daughter first with no thought for themselves. The whole family are so lucky they have each other. Best wishes to all.
- Dawn, Leicester, United Kingdom
Good luck and God bless!
- Ganraj Kaur Matharoo, Toronto, Canada
I will be saying a prayer for her. I think that this little girl will do great things. Lakshmi is a very beautiful girl and will always be on my mind...
- Shanita Scotland, Atlanta, USA
I believe that all the prayers that have been sent out to God on behalf of Lakshmi will take her through a successful surgery, I pray that God works through the hands of the surgeons as they give this beautiful child a normal life!
- Emma Khakula, Nairobi, Kenya
She is a very beautitful little girl. I wish the best for her.
- April Walker, Montgomery,USA
What an absolutely beautiful, angelic child! Her facial expression is one of joy. Severe trials in our life teaches us compassion and humility. I am humbled beyond belief as I see a child faced with this enormous challenge smiling into the face of her beloved mother. I pray that those doctors will receive divine help from above. I will pray for her.
- Marianne Haslam, Draper, USA
I am sorry about this little girl's plight. I hope that the operation will be alright. She is a pretty little girl.
Let us all pray that God will help all those surgeons who would have to participate in this process, and bring this little girl life so she can look back on and sing her praises to the most high.
I wish all the doctors God's grace and a steady hand to perform this most difficult operation.
- Anne Martin-Griffith, Barbados, West Indies
I hope everything works all right and my best wishes to the family.
- Normajean Sutton, Princeton, USA
Poor little girl, she must feel horrible.
- Justin Johnson, Helenville, Wi
May Swami shower his blessings upon your little girl in the time of her recovery, and also bless all those doctors who played a very big role in this little angel's life, she is a miracle from god and will definitely grow up to be the most beautiful, talented young lady.
- Dalene Moodley, South Africa
I will pray for the health and hasty recovery of your little girl. She is beautiful.
- Brenda Mauger, Scarborough ONTARIO CANADA
I am amazed! May the blessings of GOD be with them always. God bless the surgeon and his team for doing the surgery. They are inspirations to their professions, may GOD's blessing be with them also.
- Sharmela, Bronx, New York - USA
Shes a cute baby-hope the surgey goes succesful
- Zulfi, Birmingham
Something like what has happened is truly extraordinary and I pray that Lakshmi Tatma's operation goes well and she is able to live a long, healthy, prosperous life! Best Wishes to her parents and family!
- Eduardo Gonzalez, Chicago, USA
What a beautiful family, the loving angels will help you heal. Love, light and happiness to you.
- Vicky, Pukekohe, New Zealand
I pray to God for her well-being and am optimistic that the surgical procedure will be successful. God bless the family.
- K. Malhotra, Morton Grove-USA
We have your Family in prayers, hope the operation goes well.. With all the doctors, you are in good hands...
- Naja And The Grierson Family, West Philadelphia, Pa.
My heart goes out to you and your family, I hope everything goes well.
- Alexandra, Dunedin, New Zealand
Amazing... And she's so cute! Even more amazing is the timing of her birth. And yes, I'm glad that the parents are level-headed enough to place their child's health above religious beliefs. My prayers are with this family, may they make it through the surgery safe and sound.
- Indigowatcher, United States
I hope all is well with this poor little mite, she has been through so much already in her young life, god bless her and her family. Lets hope she pulls through it all to have a great and wonderful life.
- Sue, Sutton in Asfield England
Good luck. My thoughts are with you.
- Cortney, Plano, Texas
Peace and Blessing to you and your family. With all the love that is around you, I know that your surgery will go well.
- Carrell Clarke, Brooklyn, NY
I work at childrens hospital in Dayton Ohio and I was amazed at this, all of us here in Surgery hope and pray that everything goes well, God Bless to the Doctors and Nurses and to your family.
- Celeste Knox (Dayton, Ohio, Ohio USA
I will be praying for Lakshmi and family. God be with the surgeons and the family.
- Corina, Saint Cloud, MN USA
Aww...I hope you make it, Lakshmi! :-D
- Angela Wilde, USA
Best of luck to you and your loved ones.
- Nancy, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Thank God for the team of doctors and other healthworkers who are performing this operation. I pray that all goes well. May God guide you all the way.
- Naya, Tema, Ghana
I hope the operation goes well. Good luck!
- Anonymous, Leicestershire, England
I pray to the almighty who can make all things possible that this sweet baby girl will get through this surgery successfully and can live a healthy and normal life like any mother would love. My prayers are with you always.
- Kerry-Ann Notice, Jamaica
May God bless you sweetheart, you are nothing but a miracle I pray that everything in life will be a success for you.
- Denise, Newark, New Jersey, USA
I wish you the best of luck Lakshmi. We were all just saying what a pretty little girl you are.
- Kerry Briers, Andover England
Heather - she needs the surgery because she will probably suffer severe infections by leaving the extra limbs on. Already, other news sources have stated she has suffered infections due to them. Also, she won't live past her early teens as I'm guessing she wouldn't develop well enough. There's also the fact that she wouldn't be able to walk or crawl and thus her quality of life is limited. The best option for her is to undergo surgery. Sometimes "parasitic" twins are not operated on, but more often than not, it's always beneficial to remove them because they pose serious health risks to the child.
- Healthgirl, Canada
I pray this little sweetheart recovers quickly and with no complications!
- Deanna M., USA
What a beautiful girl! Lakshmi, I wish you all the best on your surgery.
- Maiona, Mangere, Auckland, New Zealand
"Why do doctors say she must have the limbs removed? In these photographs she looks healthy and happy. Unusual birth defect or not, look at her beautiful face."
Didn't you read the article? She won't live past her teen years unless the limbs are removed.
- Alonzo, Chicago IL USA
Heather, are you a doctor? It is a defect, although extraordinary and amazing, it might lead to problems later on in life. Health and the way the human body is a very difficult thing that takes years to study, and I think the doctors, in this case, do know best.
- Marcus, Manchester, England
Wow, I'm glad that the child's parents can reconcile their beliefs with the need to do this operation. I wish them all the best of luck!
- Anonymous, Durham, NC, USA
Why do doctors say she must have the limbs removed? In these photographs she looks healthy and happy. Unusual birth defect or not, look at her beautiful face. She is extraordinary. And kudos to Poonam for safely delivering her.
- Heather, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Poor little thing, she's adorable and I'm so glad to hear her parents are going to do all they can to give her a normal life. I pray to God the surgery is successful and she is able to pursue her dreams.
- Debi B, Memphis, USA
What a beautiful child.
- John Dunn, Lilburn, Ga. USA
God bless Lakshimi and her family! She's a beautiful little girl, and deserves every chance at a normal, healthy and happy life. Good luck to you, little sweetie.
- Mom_Of_Four, Liberty, NJ USA
God bless this child. She is lovely.
- Just Me, San Diego, USA
Poor thing. Arrrhh, she looks healthy and happy, though.
- Barb, Wheeling, WV USA
I notice she is considered to be "a miracle, a reincarnation" of Vishnu, yet still she will go under the knife to remove "the miracle". More of a unusual twist of nature I suspect.
- Tommy Husbands, London, UK
God bless this child, and my prayers for a flawless surgery.
- Chris, NY, USA
God bless and be with this child, her parents and the surgeons!
- Scott, USA
God bless this special child, she even has a smile on her little face.
- Flossmore, Chicago, USA
In most modern countries, this beautiful child would have been aborted. Her parents are to be praised.
- Chukkal, Kent, USA
