Advertisement

Missing Boy Taken To Hospital After Being Found

Missing Boy Taken To Hospital After Being Found

A 10-year-old boy with a rare genetic condition, who went missing from his south London home this morning, has been found and taken to hospital.

Malakhi Chijiutomi-Ghosh, who requires medication three times a day, was discovered by an off-duty police officer in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.

Police had said they were "extremely concerned" for the welfare of the child because he had not had his medicine today.

Malakhi suffers from congenital adrenal hyperplasia and officers said there was a "real chance" he could have fallen into a coma had he not been found.

After being discovered more than 20 miles away from his home, the child was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Police launched a major appeal and search after Malakhi left the property in Thornton Heath, Croydon, at 6am without a mobile phone, cash or Oyster card.

The boy, who likes trains, was last seen at a bus stop in nearby Streatham Common around two hours later.

His disappearance was said to be "completely out of character" and his parents had been "distraught".

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) causes swelling of the adrenal glands and in its most severe form can be life-threatening.

CAH means the body is missing a chemical substance which stimulates the adrenal glands to release the cortisol hormone.

People with the condition are less able to cope with emotional and physical stress, the NHS said.

The condition makes the level of male hormones increase. Symptoms include heart rhythm abnormalities, dehydration and vomiting.

CAH affects between one in 10,000 and one in 18,000 children born each year.