‘Ninja Turtle’: Their baby grows a ‘shell’ on its back

A couple have named their baby ‘Little Ninja Turtle’ after a rare skin condition left him with a lump of fat resembling a turtle shell on his back.

To the consternation of parents and doctors, baby James McCallum was born with a huge weight that covered most of his back.

In August 2021, at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida, an ultrasound revealed nothing before the baby was delivered, according to his mother, Caitlin.

Kaitlyn McCallum | Facebook

The 35-year-old mother initially thought it was a birthmark. But her worries began when she noticed a rash, reports the Mirror.

“At first the spot covered 75% of her back, and it started getting bigger and lumpier,” he says.

Soon, what looked like a large mole covered most of James’ back.

Kaitlyn McCallum | Facebook

It took 2 months for the young family to receive a diagnosis: a giant congenital melanocytic nevus.

It is a benign tumor-like defect resulting from defective growth of pigment cells.

From February 2022 to May 2022, the toddler will undergo two consecutive surgeries. He can soon lie on his back.

He then underwent tissue expansion to replace the mole with healthy skin from the remaining skin on his back.

Kaitlyn McCallum | Facebook

There is only the last operation aimed at the complete removal of the nevus.

“Before she was abducted, she grew up so fast, she was like a turtle shell on her back,” Caitlin said, but she’s more comfortable now.

Kaitlyn McCallum | Facebook

“The doctor told us that once it’s removed it’s over. He’ll have minimal scarring,” he added about the upcoming surgery.

There was no downside to this whole adventure, the young mother joked: “He could tell a good story, say it was a shark or something.”