Maine girl with 'mermaid syndrome' dies at 10

Source: AP

PORTLAND, Maine – Shiloh Pepin, a girl who was born with fused legs, a rare condition often called "mermaid syndrome," and gained a wide following on the Internet and national television, has died. She was 10.

Doctors had predicted she would only survive only for days after her birth at the most, but the girl, described by her mother as "a tough little thing," died at Maine Medical Center on Friday afternoon, hospital spokesman John Lamb said. She had been hospitalized in critical condition for nearly a week.

Being born with "mermaid syndrome," also known as sirenomelia, meant that the Kennebunkport girl had only one partially working kidney, no lower colon or genital organs and legs fused from the waist down.

Some children who have survived sirenomelia have had surgery to separate their legs, but Shiloh did not because blood vessels crossing from side to side in her circulatory system would have been severed. She had received two kidney transplants, the last one in 2007.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091024/ap_on_en_tv/us_obit_pepin

Safe passage to her...

I hope her family and friends have a lot of support during these tough days of mourning...

She was one tough cookie. Please let her next stop be easier.

She was a truly remarkable child. Condolences to her family and to all who loved her.

that doesn't mean the person has nothing to contribute to this world. Apparently Shiloh was a very happy, very well-adjusted girl.

To adulthood? To old age?

Shiloh was one tough little dame, all right. It's sad that she lost the fight. But at least the next kid born like that will have that much more of a chance of making it because of Shiloh.

Here's to Shiloh Pepin: and a hearty "Fuck You!" to Death.

--d!

her story on TLC was so inspiring....RIP, little lady....

It's of little help to say that she survived about a decade longer than doctors thought she should. But she brought a lot of joy, inspiration and education to a lot of people in that time. RIP.

My condolences to Shiloh's entire family for their loss.

....rest in peace, little one....the world's a better place for you having been here....