GRAPHIC: Meet 21-Year-Old Indian Girl Born Without A Face

Khadija Khatoon, 21, born into a poor family in Kolkata, Eastern India, has lived her whole life with no face as doctors warned surgery could kill her. She has a mass of skin hanging from her forehead and no eyes or nose – just a small slit, and it is now feared it may be hiding a tumour.

According to Mirror UK, her parents, Rashid Mulla and Amina Bibi, said they were initially unaware of their daughter’s condition but became concerned after she failed to open her eyes despite being two months old. They said doctors told them, “there was nothing they could do” and any attempts to perform surgery could have killed her. Her condition worsened as her excess skin kept growing and her parents were unable to take her for further tests due to financial constraints.

Her rare condition prevented her from going to school and she doesn’t have any friends.

She said: “My family is my only friend and I love them dearly. It’s not a matter of coping, I just live as I am.”

Government officer Rupak Dutta took to Facebook to appeal for the public’s help after he spotted Khadija walking down the street.

Dr Anirban Deep Banerjee said Khadija has Neurofibromatosis, a condition that makes sufferers prone to tumours.

He said: “There’s a possibility she has a tumour inside her face which could be fatal. If she’s willing we could need to do a lot of tests to determine how successful surgery could be.”

A Crowdfunder page has been set up with the aim of raising £10,000 for Khadija’s medical bills.