The "Solar Kids" of Quetta are three brothers who have been afflicted with an extremely rare and unknown medical disorder
The “Solar Kids” of Quetta are three brothers who have been afflicted with an extremely rare and unknown medical disorder that lets them move, talk, and work normally during the daytime, but as the sun sets, they become nearly completely paralyzed. Doctors conducted hundreds of tests, including genetic testing, at PIMS Islamabad and could not conclude the name of the disease, although there was some suspicion of congenital myasthenic syndrome. During the day, the boys live somewhat normal lives: they go to madrassa, play, and help with household chores, but in the evening their energy slowly drains, leaving them unable to walk, talk, or respond by the end of the night. Their case has baffled doctors both in Pakistan and abroad, and even though the treatment over the years has resulted in slight improvements, their condition remains largely unexplained, making the “Solar Kids” a continued medical mystery.
From a medical point of view, the condition of the “Solar Kids” is very probably an extremely rare neurological muscular disorder in which the ability to move and function depends on sunlight. Physicians have considered the probability that this could be a rare form of congenital myasthenic syndrome, some sort of circadian rhythm linked neurological abnormality, or a previously unknown genetic mutation impacting muscle and nerve function. The consideration of environmental causes has also been made, but no causal links have been found. Currently, there is no known cure, so supportive care nutrition, hydration, safety during nighttime paralysis, and physiotherapy to retain muscle strength is one method of treatment, while current research and international cooperation continue in hopes of pinpointing the cause and investigating experimental therapies, including light based interventions or neuromuscular medications.
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