A young boy was naked and appeared distressed and disoriented when he knocked on a door in Melbourne's south-east early on Thursday morning.

The boy, believed to be about nine, knocked on the door of a house in Hibberd Street, Highett, about 2.45am.

The residents of the home promptly called emergency services, who took the boy to hospital.

Police said the boy was "not verbal" and did not communicate with emergency services. A photo was released of the boy about 9.45am on Thursday in a bid to identify him.

In the photo, the boy appears distressed and disoriented, with a red nose and cheeks.

About 10.30am, 45 minutes after police issued the public plea, they said "the concerned parents of the young boy found wandering in Highett early this morning have come forward".