Baby born with no nose to receive implant

Tessa Evans was born with an ultra rare condition, complete congenital arhinia, which has affected only 40 people in recorded medical history.

The condition means that 17-month-old Tessa Evans does not have a nose, sinuses or a sense of smell.

However she can still cough, sneeze and catch a cold. Despite her disability Tessa’s mother said she is often in good spirits, reported Mail Online. “Ever since we got her home she’s grown every day, smiled more and the more she shines the more her differences fade into the background,” said her mother Grainne Evans.

Tessa’s condition was detected in a 20 week scan, but the follow up revealed that the unborn infant was perfectly healthy. However she was born with some other problems related to the condition, such as a small hole in her heart and eyesight problems.

“She spent her first five weeks in a neonatal intensive care unit which were undoubtedly the worst weeks of my life,” said her mother.

Tessa will begin treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital which involves implanting a nose shaped mould. An incision will be made along her hairline and the mould will be inserted where her nose should be. She will get bigger ones as she grows.

"I hope Tessa's story inspires other people and families, I never want any child to be unloved or left alone because of their differences and diagnosis," said Mrs Evans.