My ‘Ninja Turtle baby’ boy was born with a shell — he’s my superhero
In Clearwater, Florida, toddler James McCallum earned the nickname “little Ninja Turtle” from his parents due to a rare skin condition that resembled a turtle shell on his back. Despite inconclusive ultrasounds, concerns arose when scabs and lumps appeared on James’ back shortly after birth. The mysterious condition covered 75% of his back, growing rapidly and affecting his sleep and daily life.
Facing uncertainty, James underwent an MRI to assess the risk of internal growths, which led to surgery at 2½ months old to remove the nevus. Fortunately, no internal growths were found. After the surgery, his parents, Kaitlyn and Tim, discovered a supportive Facebook group where they learned about potential side effects like itchiness.
Connecting with a specialist, they initiated tissue expansion in September 2022, injecting saline weekly to replace the affected skin. Despite the challenges, James is now happier, and his parents anticipate the complete removal of the nevus by summer, prioritizing his comfort over potential scarring.
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