The infant was born to Shruti Karki of Baniyani-4, Jhapa, at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS). Doctors had performed a surgery on her to deliver the baby.

Doctors had little hope of life of the abnormal baby outside the womb.

The infant is at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Karki was admitted to BPKIHS four days ago. Ultrasound examination had shown the heart sticking outside the body. Dr Shailaja Chhetri Shrestha said it is a rare case in medical science.

“It happens mainly due to chromosome disorder. There are 91 such reported cases in the world,” she added.

Doctors said that a complex surgery is necessary to place the heart inside. The case has been referred to Kanti Children’s Hospital in Kathmandu. The infant weighs 2.4 kg.