An infant in Ningbo, Zhejiang province was recently born with an irregularity affecting both its hands and feet. The baby was born with 15 fingers on each hand, but no thumbs. In addition, he has eight toes on each foot.

The infant, nicknamed Yuanyuan, was likely born with the abnormality thanks to his mother's genetics. Yuanyuan's mother has six fingers and toes on each hand and foot.

Xu Jihai, a doctor at Ningbo No. 6 Hospital, said that Yuanyuan's disease is not simply polydactylism, but something much more serious. The biggest difference between polydactylism and what Yuanyuan has is that all of Yuanyuan's fingers and toes are symmetrical. Therefore, in addition to cutting off the extra fingers and toes, the baby's remaining digits will also need to be reshaped. Dealing with bones, joints, skin, nails and veins, the surgery is not only difficult, it also has special requirements for post-operation recovery.

Considering the huge economic burden for Yuanyuan's family, the hospital has decided to reduce the cost of the procedures. Xu said the surgery will be completed in three phases. After treatment, assuming everything goes as planned, Yuanyuan will have years to recover before he starts school. In addition, the hospital has guaranteed 16 years of follow-up for him as he grows.

The first phase of the operation is already complete.