Teenagers can die of 'old age'

Progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, is an extremely rare premature ageing disease.

Symptons of progeria are stunted growth, loss of body fat and hair, ageing skin, stiff joints, hip dislocation and blocked veins.

Children with this condition can die of heart disease or a stroke at about the age of 13.

Knowledge of the disease became widespread in the 1980s with the publication of the story of Fransie Geringer, a progeria victim from Brakpan.