Brackendowns couple raises awareness about their 10-month-old baby’s rare skin condition
Maleke is now 10 months old and her parents, Marochelle Foxcroft and Corné Pieters from Brackendowns, decided the time is right to raise awareness about her skin condition.
ALTHOUGH she was born with a rare skin condition, for her parents little Maleke Pieters is nothing short of a bundle of joy they were blessed with.
Maleke is now 10 months old and her parents, Marochelle Foxcroft and Corné Pieters from Brackendowns, decided the time is right to raise awareness about her skin condition.
She was born with congenital melanocytic nevus, which covers almost her entire back.
Maleke also has tiny marks on other parts of her body.
This is a rare type of melanocytic mole that is found in infants at birth.
Despite its rarity, Marochelle and Corné wanted to raise awareness because they feel that this condition is still a taboo which people will not talk about.
Regular visits to the doctor
Right after Maleke was born, she was treated in ICU where they tried to stabilise the condition to ensure it does not affect either her brain or spine.
This, and the fact that Maleke had to go for endless visits to doctors for her skin check-ups, had a huge financial implication for her parents.
Due to the medical expenses they depleted their medical aid, but their prayers were answered when Arms of Mercy, a non-profit organisation, came on board to help raise funds for little Maleke.
Corné said at the time of realising the severity of her condition he was saddened.
“For the first few months after her birth it was hard for us as parents. Every three months she has to go for check-ups to see if there is any growth of this mole.
“The mark grows with her and becomes lighter with hair growing on the mole. This is a good sign that her skin is alive,” he said.
Marochelle explained that Maleke can’t go into the sun as this will increase chances of the condition becoming cancerous.
“I feel she’s quite normal and nothing sets her apart from other children except her condition. Communities should embrace all their children, including those with this kind of condition.
“I feel there are a lot of children whose parents keep this secret because they don’t want other people to find out about their children’s condition. This could be because they fear that their children could be bullied or mocked because of it,” said Marochelle.
Maleke’s grandmother had a similar condition on her leg, but it was later removed it.
Treatment available for this rare skin condition
What does the doctor say
Dr Corné Nel, a health-care practitioner at Netcare Mulbarton, said this condition, which is hereditary, is treatable through surgery.
“The operation helps reduce chances of cancer and improves lives, but the operation includes a number of surgeries.
“This condition is likely to develop to children under the age of five and if not treated can cause epilepsy or paralysis.
“We always advise parents to have their children undergo the operation once they weigh 10kg and more,” he said.
About the condition
Congenital melanocytic nevus is a type of melanocytic mole that is found in infants at birth.
This can be variable light brown to black patches or plaques which cover any size of surface area or any part of the body.
These can be found on the head, back, neck or any part of the body.
According to National Organisation for Rare Disorders (NORD), the skin texture may be smooth, very nodular or cobblestone-like.
Hair may or may not be present at birth and may or may not develop as the child ages and the hair is fine in texture.
Treatments currently rely on the collection of plastic surgical techniques.
The skin condition can become cancerous, but currently it does not affect her health.
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