According to Bisoi, such children are either born dead or die within 36 hours.

'He has already created a record by surviving for so many days,' he said.

Bisoi said these cases can be treated surgically but in general involve lengthy and very complicated paediatric cardiothoracic surgery.

Usually, the doctors come to know about the abnormality in three to four weeks of foetal life when the heart starts developing. The heart usually shifts to its original position. But in this case, it did not happen.

The doctor said in most cases when doctors detect the abnormality, they counsel the parents, especially the mother, whether they want to continue with the pregnancy or abort.

'If they decide to go with the pregnancy, they are referred to hospitals that are equipped to handle such cases,' Bisoi said.

Seeing the poor socio-economic condition of the family, the institute had borne the expenses of the entire treatment.

In the past few days, the baby had developed pneumonia. And as the infection spread fast in his small body, he breathed his last Wednesday afternoon, doctors said.