Boy, 11, ages five times faster than normal

An 11-year-old boy is aging five times faster than his schoolmates because of a unique condition.

Published: 10:37AM BST 23 Apr 2010

Harry Crowther is the only person in the world to suffer from a form of Atypical Progeria Syndrome which means his body is already wracked with arthritis despite him still being in Primary School.

His accellerating aging has meant his skin has begun to thin and the bones in his fingers and collarbone have begun to erode as the ageing process prematurely accelerates.

He takes painkillers four times a day and his parents Sharron and John know Harry's life will be cut short by the cruel condition, though doctors are unable to offer an accurate prognosis.

Mrs Crowther, deputy manager at a pre-school in the family's hometown of Mirfield, West Yorks., said: "Its just a sit and wait game. Because the change in Harry's gene is unique, they cannot say what's going to happen.

"We have had our tears and the "why us" moments like every family would have. But we have to remember he is walking, talking and is in mainstream school.

"It is just that his body is a bit different. But there is always someone who is worse off than you. He enjoys riding his bike, swimming and climbing trees just like any other boy his age."

Harry's skin began tightening when he was just a year old and his face began to alter, so his worried parents took him to see a geneticist.

But his unusual symptoms continued to baffle medics until his concerned parents saw a TV documentary about a girl with a similar syndrome called Hutchinson Guilford.

Harry was diagnosed with his illness, closely related to Hutchinson Guilford, at the specialised UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, USA, when he was aged seven after undergoing further tests. It is caused by a genetic mutation in the LMNA gene.

But because he is the only person in the world to suffer from this rare form of Atypical Progeria Syndrome, medics cannot predict how Harrys illness will develop. The oldest sufferer of a similar condition lived to the age of 26.

Sharon, 40, who lives with IT director dad John, 41, and other children Emma,

16, and 14-year-old Jack, added: "There isn't anyone we can talk to who has the condition. People stare and even go back and get their friends to stare. It really upsets him and I just think why?

Harry said: "I can do a lot of things other children can do, but sometimes it stops me doing what I like doing because I ache.

"It feels weird and hurts most when Im in bed. I get upset when people who don't know me stare and its annoying going to hospitals."

Cub Scout Harry is attending the St Georges Day parade at Windsor Castle after being presented with the Chief Scouts Award for his bravery.

From: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7623531/Boy-11-ages-five-times-faster-than-normal.html