The parents of a young boy born with 15 fingers and 16 toes are attempting to raise enough money to enable their son to undergo life-changing surgery.

The three-month-old boy, Hong Hong, has polydactylism, a congenital condition in which those affected are born with additional digits. He has two palms, but no thumbs on either hand.

Hong Hong lives in Pingjiang County in China’s central Hunan Province with his family. His mother, who works in a factory in Shenzhen City, also has polydactylism.

Zou Chenglin, the boy’s father, told People’s Daily: “My wife has one extra finger and toe on each of her hands and feet, so we were worried that our child would inherit the condition.

“But after going to three big hospitals in Shenzhen, doctors found no birth defects on our son during scans.”

After Hong Hong’s birth his parents were shocked to discover he had inherited the condition. Doctors say the condition can be treated once the boy is old enough to undergo anaesthesia – but the surgery will have to take place while he is still a baby, before his bones set.

The parents are now desperately trying to raise the money required for the operation – estimated at between 100,000 and 500,000 RMB (£10,600 to £53,000).

Telegraph.co.uk