Teen, 18, dies ‘trapped in child's body’ as rare disease left her unable to age

Elena had 1 of conscionable 18 ever recorded cases successful the world, of her uncommon condition. The illness saw her efficaciously trapped successful the assemblage of a kid contempt being 18 years old

A pistillate has died aged conscionable 18 aft surviving with an extremely uncommon disease that saw her efficaciously trapped successful the assemblage of a child.

Elena was diagnosed with a rare familial disorder called NUBPL mitochondrial illness successful 2016. Most radical with the information person problems including seizures, intelligence disablement and ataxia - a neurological information that causes a deficiency of musculus coordination, and for Elena it meant she struggled to grow.

Due to complications caused by the disease, galore of her organs did not relation properly, and she died successful infirmary surrounded by her family astatine the extremity of her life. According to the Journal of Medical Genetics, determination person lone been 18 known cases worldwide, arsenic of 2020. Elena had the lone known lawsuit of NUBPL successful her location state of Italy.

On Friday, February 7, Elena’s mum Andreea, updated her online followers connected her concern arsenic she spent clip successful hospital. And portion determination is nary attraction for NUBPL, the connection radiated positivity. Andreea said: "You are our beingness - excavation and your dad's. Keep connected fighting, princess. First time of targeted care, gone. Tomorrow we commencement again towards a agleam grin similar yours, you volition conquer it again. Keep going, arsenic you cognize however to do.”

But connected Sunday, February 9, shared different affectional connection alongside a photograph of Elena smiling. It read: "Elena, darling I privation to retrieve you with this smile. Now you volition beryllium singing with angels. Your household volition emotion you forever. One time we'll spot each different again.” Her followers were speedy to permission messages of emotion and support.

Elena died astatine a infirmary successful Genoa, the metropolis wherever she lived with her mum, Andreea, dad, Paolo Delle Piane, brothers, Daniele and Luca, and her youngest sibling Vittoria. Her ceremonial took spot yesterday astatine the Evangelical Church of Genoa.