Baby James McCallum, at just 19 months old, has earned the affectionate nickname ‘little ninja-turtle’ from his parents. His unique and rare skin condition has caused a fascinating growth on his back, which covers an astonishing 75% of his back, leaving both his parents and doctors amazed and puzzled.

When Kaitlyn, 35, gave birth to James on August 19th, 2021, at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida, the ultrasounds offered no indication of the surprise in store for them.

Initially mistaking the growth for a birthmark, Kaitlyn grew increasingly worried as scabbing and lumps appeared on James’s back. As they waited for a diagnosis, the growth continued to expand, covering most of their baby’s back.

After two months and numerous consultations with doctors, baby James was finally diagnosed with giant congenital melanocytic nevus—a benign, tumor-like malformation caused by the abnormal development of pigment cells.

Upon receiving the diagnosis, James’s parents learned that the growth could be eliminated through a series of surgical procedures. Consequently, James underwent two rounds of surgery in February and May 2022.

As a result, most of the nevus was successfully removed, providing James with the ability to comfortably lie on his back. A procedure called tissue expansion followed, where healthy skin from his remaining back was used to replace the nevus.

The surgeries were a success, bringing a great sense of relief to Kaitlyn and Tim. They are now optimistic that one more round of surgery will completely eliminate the nevus, improving James’s quality of life even further. James’s increased mobility and comfort, especially his ability to lie on his back, are evident to his parents and a source of joy for the entire family.

Kaitlyn recalls the early days when the strange growth on James’s back first became apparent. Both she and Tim, along with her mother, Mary, noticed something unusual that resembled a birthmark but seemed different due to scabbing and lumps. Concerned, they consulted with doctors who initially struggled to diagnose the condition. However, once they discovered what it was, the process of removing it began.

Before James’s initial surgery in February 2022, he underwent an MRI to ensure that the mass was not growing internally on his brain or spine. Fortunately, the results came back clear, bringing some relief to his parents.

Kaitlyn and Tim were eager to have the nevus removed as it started to impact James’s sleep. The growth even prevented him from lying flat on his back, making sleeping difficult. The concern of potential melanoma risk also prompted them to seek a plastic surgeon for removal.

Over the course of a few months, two surgeries were performed to remove the bulk of the nevus. Tests on the removed skin came back negative for any diseases, providing further reassurance.

Following successful surgery, Kaitlyn and Tim considered tissue expansion, fearing the potential return of the nevus. Through a Facebook group that offers global support for individuals with the condition, they sought information on tissue expansion. This search led them to a specialist in Chicago, recommended by the community. During their research, Kaitlyn and Tim discovered that nevi can cause intense itching, which explained why baby James often scratched his back on various surfaces. Additionally, they learned that the nevi on James’s back lacked sweat glands, requiring certain restrictions on his outdoor activities. The couple, delighted to find a supportive online community, commenced tissue expansion in September 2022. The process involves placing expanders under the skin, which are then injected with saline once a week. With time, the good skin is gradually expanded to replace the nevus. Although the journey has not been without its challenges, Kaitlyn and Tim remain optimistic. They shared that James’s young age and his carefree attitude have made the process a little easier. They started the tissue expansion process with the goal of resolving it by James’s second birthday in August. The Facebook group has been a valuable resource, connecting them with the Nevus Outreach Organization, which conducts vital research in this field. That being said, James has completed the initial phase of tissue expansion and is scheduled to return to Chicago in April. During the summer, the final expanders will be placed and expanded, bringing them one step closer to their desired outcome. Kaitlyn reassures us that once the nevus is removed, it will be gone for good, leaving only minimal scars. She expresses her joy in seeing James so much happier and more comfortable, and how relieved they will be to have all of it gone by the summer. While the condition often occurs on the face, they consider themselves fortunate that it only affected James’s back. The removal of the nevus will undoubtedly give him the best quality of life, and in the future, he will have a cool story to tell, maybe even claiming it was a shark bite. They would gladly trade the scars for the struggle they have endured. Baby James McCallum is undoubtedly a little warrior, and his parents, Kaitlyn and Tim, are thankful for all the love and support they have received. They are confident that he has a bright and promising future ahead of him.