This is only the twelfth case of its kind in the world, claim doctors, and it is probably the first time that such a long trail of hair has been found. According to Dr S S Borwankar, professor and head of paedriatic surgery department, Ashraf Ali was brought to the hospital by his parents since he had been complaining of abdominal pain and vomitting. There was also loss of weight and of appetite, and the doctors could feel a lump in Ali's stomach, said Borwankar. The only thing the parents were aware of was that Ashraf had a habit of eating small pieces of cloth.

Tests confirmed that the boy had actually swallowed a ball of cloth and hair. Ashraf was admitted to thepaedriatic surgery ward, and was operated on October 9. The surgeons located the mass of hair in his stomach, winding like a rope.

Had the mass been ignored and left inside, it would have caused serious obstructions, added Dr Borwankar. The child's health could also have been affected and he could have been afflicted by some infection, added the doctor.

Ashraf was later referred to the hospital psychiatrist, and was counselled for some days. According to Dr Borwankar, the boy agreed to give up the habit of swallowing hair and cloth. Ashraf is also visitng the hospital for further counselling, added the doctor.

According to Dr Borwankar, this condition is generally observed in hysterical women who start swallowing their own hair, which is why this condition is termed `Rapunzel's Syndrome'. In Ashraf's case, he would swallow what his sisters would throw away after brushing their hair, he said.

Given the rarity of the case, the doctors plan to send its details to the International Journal of PaedriaticSurgery for publication, said Borwankar.