Nguyen Thi Ngoc, 13, reads a book at home in Ho Chi Minh City. Ngoc is Vietnam's first known case of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, a rare disease which ages the body so rapidly its victims die before they have barely experienced youth. Ngoc, who lives in Ho Chi Minh City, comes from a poverty-stricken family and local hospitals lack the means and expertise to treat her. Photo taken March 6.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc, 13, reads a book at home in Ho Chi Minh City. Ngoc is Vietnam's first known case of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, a rare disease which ages the body so rapidly its victims die before they have barely experienced youth. Ngoc, who lives in Ho Chi Minh City, comes from a poverty-stricken family and local hospitals lack the means and expertise to treat her. Photo taken March 6.

Progeria is a progressive genetic disorder that causes children to age rapidly, beginning in their first two years of life.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc, 13, reads a book at home in Ho Chi Minh City. Ngoc is Vietnam's first known case of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, a rare disease which ages the body so rapidly its victims die before they have barely experienced youth. Ngoc, who lives in Ho Chi Minh City, comes from a poverty-stricken family and local hospitals lack the means and expertise to treat her.

After being born a healthy looking baby, their height and weight suddenly fall below average for their age. Individuals generally retain normal mental and motor development.