South Africa: 17-yr-old girl that looks 70 due to rare genetic disorder

A 17-year-old South African girl has been revealed to be the first black child with a rare genetic disorder called Progeria, which causes premature aging.



Ontlametse Phalatse who is best described as a small girl with a large personality, has been reported to be one of only 80 children all over the world diagnosed with the rare disease.

Ontlametse who has just turned 17 this month despite doctors warnings that she would not live past the age of 13, just attended her school matriculation event a few days ago, sharing some lovely photos from the event on her Instagram page.

On one of her photos where she is pictured rocking a lovely green dinner dress, paired with silver shoes and a matching clutch purse, Ontlametse wrote:

"Thanks to everyone who made this day a success. I look awesome."

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, commonly known as progeria, is described as an extremely rare condition where a child ages eight times faster than is normal, resulting in a shorter life span than children of their age.

Most of the children who suffer from the disease usually die from a heart attack or stroke.