A rare genetic disorder has left a baby girl in Slovakia with skin up to 8 mm thick, missing eyelids, two fingers, four toes, and unable to regulate her body temperature.

According to the Independent, Elizabeth Kadlecik was born with Harlequin ichthyosis, a condition that causes her skin to grow rapidly and thicken to 8 mm, resembling a turtle shell. This is a very rare genetic condition, affecting 2 in 1,000,000 children born worldwide.

The baby girl’s mother, Natalia, shared that when she was 30 weeks pregnant, doctors said her daughter would be born with both mental and physical disabilities, but did not give a precise diagnosis.

When she was born prematurely six weeks early, Elizabeth was immediately transferred to the intensive care unit because the hardened skin around her face and chest made it difficult for her to breathe. In the weeks after birth, the thick, hardened skin restricted her development, causing facial and body deformities. The condition was so severe that doctors initially believed the baby girl had no hope of survival. However, fortunately, after five weeks of sedation, Elizabeth survived.

This rare skin condition caused her to lose her eyelids, two fingers, four toes, and prevented her from regulating her body temperature due to her inability to sweat. Because of its rarity, plastic surgeons were unable to remove the thick layer of skin immediately after her birth.

Elizabeth’s parents, worried that her skull development might be hindered, took a risky surgery to remove the excess skin, which was fortunately successful.

“Within a few days, Elizabeth was freed from her butterfly-like cocoon,” Natalia announced on her personal page.

Every day, Elizabeth receives eye drops and gel every hour because she cannot close her eyes; her body is bandaged; she is bathed twice to exfoliate and remove the excess skin; and moisturizer is applied at least six times.

Elizabeth’s mother said that if not properly moisturized, her skin could crack and bleed, posing a risk of infection. This condition has already led to her needing three blood transfusions.

Natalia said, “We follow all the rules and regimens for skin and eye care, and make sure she’s not overheated. When properly cared for, Elizabeth is comfortable, happy, and interacts with us like any other healthy child. Luckily, she’s not affected mentally. Some people even say that children with this condition tend to be very intelligent.”

The mother also said that doctors have given varying opinions on how long her daughter might live. Some say she won’t live past 20, while others say there’s no reason why Elizabeth couldn’t live to a ripe old age.

“Elizabeth’s future is a big question, even for specialists, but we don’t blame anyone. In the future, I will homeschool her. She may need cosmetic surgery on her eyelids, fingers, toes, and ears in the future,” Natalia shared.