Vietnamese girl with ultra-rare premature aging disorder dies

The social media account ‘Tep Gao Family’ recently posted a condolence message against a black background, reading, “Thank you for coming into our lives! May you return to the Buddha! Dad, Mom, and the family love you! Our little girl.”

The announcement saddened many people who had followed Gao's journey.

Her full name was Nguyen Thai An Khue. 

Born in July 2021, she was the second daughter of Pham Thi Mai and her husband, Nguyen Trung Kien, who live in Ho Chi Minh City.

Throughout their journey with their daughter, her family shared moments of caring for her, daily activities and playtime through the ‘Tep Gao Family’ channel, gradually making her a familiar face to many followers.

Pictures of the petite girl in her parents' arms and moments spent playing with family members won the affection and encouragement of social media users.

Progeria causes children to age prematurely

Progeria is a serious premature aging syndrome that causes young children's bodies to develop signs of aging much faster than normal, according to Dr. Nguyen Tien Thanh, a member of the Vietnam Association of Dermatology.

Children with the condition are generally born with relatively normal appearances and physical development.

However, the first symptoms usually emerge when they are around 18 to 24 months old.

British doctor Jonathan Hutchinson first identified the condition in 1886, while doctor Hastings Gilford conducted further research and provided a more detailed description in 1897.

The syndrome was named after the two doctors in recognition of their contributions.

The disorder is extremely rare, affecting an estimated one in four million to eight million newborns.

Approximately 114 children with the condition have been reported in 39 countries worldwide.

One of the most noticeable signs of Progeria is stunted growth. Affected children are usually significantly shorter and weigh less than the average for their age.

Other characteristic facial features may include an unusually large head, a wide fontanelle, a narrow face and nose, prominent-looking eyes, a hooked nose, a small jaw, and delayed tooth development.

Changes to the skin and hair are also typical. Children's skin often becomes thin, wrinkled, and rough, while the layer of fat beneath the skin gradually disappears.

Blood vessels on the scalp may become visible, and progressive hair loss can lead to baldness. Eyebrows and eyelashes may also become sparse.

In addition, children may experience joint stiffness and limited mobility due to abnormalities in the musculoskeletal system.

More seriously, the syndrome can cause early-onset cardiovascular damage that may progress rapidly.

Children with Progeria face an increased risk of atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, and myocardial ischemia. These complications can directly affect their life expectancy.

Dr. Thanh said children with Progeria have significantly shorter life expectancies than healthy children.

People with the condition have an average life expectancy of around 14.5 years. Some children may die as young as six, while a small number of patients live to around 20.

Deaths are generally associated with cardiovascular and vascular complications, particularly heart attacks and strokes.

There is currently no definitive cure for Progeria. Treatment mainly focuses on managing symptoms, monitoring cardiovascular health, preventing complications, and improving affected children's quality of life.