Authorities are looking for the relatives of an 18-month-old infant who was sent to a Shanghai hospital on July 29 for burn injuries but abandoned by his parents three days later.

The infant, Hu Kang from Anhui Province, was burned by hot porridge on his head, neck, chest and hands. He fell into a coma on the night of August 1 at Changhai Hospital in Yangpu District, and his parents disappeared.

Doctors found that Hu suffered from eye cancer. His left eyeball had been removed and he had been receiving chemotherapy on his right eye before he was sent to Changhai Hospital.

The hospital reported the case to the police, without result so far.

The boy's burn injuries have almost been healed, and he has begun walking and talking under the care of hospital staff.

The child will soon be sent to a local orphanage after further eye tests, according to a Changhai doctor surnamed Li.

(Shanghai Daily September 12, 2008)