Meet the black Brazilian mother who has three white children



A black mother has baffled scientists after giving birth to three albino children.

Parents Rosemere Fernandes de Andrade and her partner Joao are dark-skinned Afro-Brazilians, yet three of their five children are albinos.



Albino siblings Esthefany Caroline (l), Ruth Caroline (2nd l), Kauan (c) pose with their mother Rosemere Fernandes and their brothers at home in Brazil

Albino siblings Esthefany Caroline (l) and Kauan Fernandes (r) play with their cousin Taina (c) outside their home

Genetics professor Valdir Balbino of the Federal University of Pernambuco said this is a very rare occurrence considering the parents and two other children are black.

Both parents must carry the albinism gene in order to produce a child with albinism. Where both parents are carriers of the albinism gene, there is a one in four chance that a child will be born with the condition.



The family live in the slum of Olinda in north-east Brazil and the children have faced taunts by fellow pupils at their school.

The condition affects around one in 17,000 people. Those with albiinism do not produce enough melanin pigment, which gives colour to the skin, hair and eyes and protects the body from the sun's rays.



They often suffer from extreme short-sightedness and a severe sensitivity to light.

The albino siblings must cover up to protect their sensitive skin from the sun

Mrs Fernandes, 27,says she struggles to pay the medical bills for daughters Ruth, 10, and Esthefany, eight, as well as five-year-old son Kauan.



She must also buy expensive sun-block and extra clothing to protect their skin.

The mother of five has also been challenged by security guards who insisted she could not be the children's mother.

Mrs Fernandes, of Olinda, said: 'I'm afraid of skin cancer because I can't afford the protection they need.'

A spokesman from Albinism Fellowship said: 'It can be hard for parents when they are faced with a baby who is much fairer than either parent.

'In most cases children with albinism are born to parents who have no previous experience of the condition. From the first day of their new baby's life, the parents often find themselves on a steep learning curve.'



For more information and support for those affected by the condition visit Albinism.org.uk

Albino sibling Kauan Fernandes (r), plays next his mother Rosemere Fernandes and his sister Rebeca. His mother struggles to pay their medical bills







