Baby Born 'Without A Face' Released From Hospital After 40 Days

Rodrigo, who the Portuguese press have imaginatively dubbed 'the baby without a face' was also born without the ability to hear and with mouth imperfections and brain lesions.

It's easy to see why the doctors weren't exactly hopeful when he was brought into the world.

His parents, Marlene Simao and David Ribeiro, said that the condition he was born in was also a complete surprise to them.

Apparently, the doctors hadn't picked up on the deformities during any of the four ultrasound scans they'd attended.

The young boy was born at the San Bernardo Hospital in Setubal - which is within the metropolitan area of the capital, Lisbon -on October 7 earlier this year.

Despite still suffering from some issues with his breathing, his condition continues to improve all the time.

Rodrigo's godmother Tania Contente told the local press that his parents are hopeful that he will continue to grow in strength as time goes by.

She said: "The offer was there for the baby to stay in hospital, but they wanted to take care of him at home."

The first time that the medical professionals were able to pick up Rodrigo's problems was when the parents attended a 5-D scan at another clinic.

Basically, a 5-D scan allows parents and doctors to get the best look at the baby that they possibly can. In fact, you can see an incredibly realistic view of the child whilst it is still in its mother's womb.

That's when they noticed that some of the features - specifically the eyes and nose - were missing.

The medic who performed the 5-D scan noticed the problems initially, but when Rodrigo's mother confronted her obstetrician about the issue, she claims he told her that the 5-D scan wasn't accurate and the baby was totally healthy, El Mundo reports.

The obstetrician in question has been suspended for apparently missing the issues with the child when he should have been able to spot them from as early as 12 weeks into the pregnancy.

Rodrigo's parents want him to be permanently barred from practising. The investigation continues.