Close X
Saturday, October 5, 2024
ADVT 
Interesting

Pak's 'Solar Kids': After Sunset, They Are Paralyzed, Normal During Day

Darpan News Desk IANS, 06 May, 2016 12:50 PM
    The two brothers have come to be known as the "solar kids" and their case has mystified Pakistani doctors.
     
    Aged nine and 13, the boys are normal active children during the day. But once the sun goes down, they both lapse into a vegetative state - unable to move or talk.
     
    Javed Akram, a professor of medicine at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, told the press on Thursday that he had no idea what was causing the symptoms.
     
    "We took this case as a challenge. Our doctors are doing medical tests to determine why these kids remain active in the day but cannot open their eyes, why they cannot talk or eat when sun goes down," he said, as he visited the pair at his hospital.
     
    Akram said the government was providing free medical care to the siblings, who come from an impoverished family.
     
    The brothers are undergoing extensive medical testing in the capital, Islamabad, and samples of their blood have been sent to overseas specialists for further examination, he said. Researchers are also collecting soil and air samples from the family's home village.
     
     
    Mohammad Hashim, the father of the two brothers, comes from a village near Quetta, the capital of southwestern Baluchistan province. He and his wife are first cousins and two of their six children died at an early age. Their other two children have not displayed any unusual symptoms.
     
    His simple theory: "I think my sons get energy from sun."
     
    But doctors have already dismissed the idea that sunlight plays a role, noting that the boys can move during the day even when kept in a dark room or during a rainstorm.
     
    During the day, 13-year old Shoaib Ahmed and his brother Abdul Rashid did indeed seem normally active, energetic and cheerful as they emerged from their hospital room on Friday and walked to a nearby canteen to have tea.
     
    "I will become a teacher," Shoaib Ahmed told, while his younger brother said he wants to be an Islamic scholar.

    MORE Interesting ARTICLES

    Celebrate Facebook's Anniversary As Friendship Day: Mark Zuckerberg

    Facebook's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has urged nearly 1.5 billion users on the platform to celebrate the social networking giant's 12th anniversary as friendship day.

    Celebrate Facebook's Anniversary As Friendship Day: Mark Zuckerberg

    'Frenetic' Price Growth In Real Estate Market To Slow In 2016: Royal LePage

    'Frenetic' Price Growth In Real Estate Market To Slow In 2016: Royal LePage
    Realtor Royal LePage says it expects the national real estate market to slow this year due to eroding affordability in Toronto and Vancouver and the fallout from declining oil prices in Western Canada.

    'Frenetic' Price Growth In Real Estate Market To Slow In 2016: Royal LePage

    Young Australian Bear A 'Polar Picasso,' Says Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat

    Young Australian Bear A 'Polar Picasso,' Says Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat
    Habitat manager Karen Cummings says his first session was with red and blue paint — the colours of the Australian flag in honour of Henry's homeland.

    Young Australian Bear A 'Polar Picasso,' Says Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat

    Posting Inspirational Posts: Are You 'Dumb' Or A Change Agent?

    Posting Inspirational Posts: Are You 'Dumb' Or A Change Agent?
    Did it ever occur to you that posting such profound thoughts may mean that you yourself need to fix your otherwise stressed life? Or are you a genuine change agent seeking to transform people's lives for the better?

    Posting Inspirational Posts: Are You 'Dumb' Or A Change Agent?

    Here Are Quickfacts On US$1.5-Billion (C$2.13 Billion) Powerball Lottery

    Here Are Quickfacts On US$1.5-Billion (C$2.13 Billion) Powerball Lottery
    There are no citizenship rules governing the lottery game so Canadians can play (and win!) the Powerball lottery. But they must buy their tickets in the United States.

    Here Are Quickfacts On US$1.5-Billion (C$2.13 Billion) Powerball Lottery

    Olivia, Ethan Most Popular B.C. Baby Names In 2014, More Boys Born Than Girls

    Olivia, Ethan Most Popular B.C. Baby Names In 2014, More Boys Born Than Girls
    As British Columbia prepares to welcome the first New Year's babies of 2016, the province has released its list of B.C.'s most popular baby names for 2014.

    Olivia, Ethan Most Popular B.C. Baby Names In 2014, More Boys Born Than Girls