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Meet Anthony Kerketta, age 18, weight 13 kg, height 2'2"
M Chhaya in Kolkata | September 30, 2005 14:55 IST
He is 18 years old, but for his age, weighs only 13 kilograms and is 2' 2" tall.
Meet Anthony Kerketta, who doctors say is not a dwarf, but victim of a rare hormonal and genetic disorder that stunts growth.
Genetic and hormonal disorders can also result in exactly the opposite body condition – overweight children.
Early this year, local media reported about a 11-month-old child who weighed an extraordinary 22 kilos.
The boy, who drank about seven litres of milk, ate one kilo rice, lots of biscuits, fruits and vegetable in a single day, was diagnosed with brain cell and hormonal disorders, but died before he could be treated.
Kerketta, who lives in West Bengal's Baidyabati town, has a younger sister, but his 16-year-old sibling is normal. So were his parents, who have left him.
Neighbours took pity on him and take care of him and feed him.
His sister lives in a charitable home.
The man's mental growth has also been stunted. He speaks, behaves and thinks like a baby and has to be treated like one.
His neighbours are demanding that the government take his responsibility and pay for his treatment.
Local leader Ashok Bag, appreciating the neighbours, said such an arrangement can't continue forever.
"The government or some voluntary organisation has to take care of him," Bag said. "After all, Anthony is a rare medical phenomenon."