29 years ago, a bay was born with a very strange condition. As he came into the world, he was placed on his mother’s chest, and both parents took a sharp breath in. The shock of his appearance was a lot to deal with. But, the love they felt for their newborn child was enough to override that. Their son, Tomm Tennent, was born with a completely unique condition that left him with a Benjamin Button appeal. He had enough skin to fit a healthy five-year-old, but h was only an infant fresh from the womb.
Tomm Tennent, the baby with excessive skin
There are many miraculous stories of children accomplishing things that experts aid they would never manage. Other stories of children born with rare genetic disorders that inhibit their ability to function, yet they do. Our story today is of a baby called Tomm Tennent, who was born in South East Australia, in 1993. He had enough skin to fit a five-year-old, which gave his parents, and the doctors, a bit of a shock.
Tomm’s parents, Geoff and Debbie, mentioned how they had been warned that there were compilations during his development during pregnancy. They said they even considered terminating the pregnancy, but changed their minds in the end. ”We sort of discussed this between us. Then, we decided what’s meant to be is meant to be and we went through with it,” said Geoff Tennent.
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When Tomm was finally born, the doctors reportedly said they had never seen a baby born with so much skin. “My heart came up to my throat, but at the same time it was lovely to pick him up and cuddle him,” said Debbie. In 2003, Geoff was interviewed by 60 Minutes Australia. “When he came out I was quite shocked (…) I didn’t think a human, or a little baby, could ever look like that,” he said.
A completely unique case
Doctors knew nothing of his condition, so they had no idea what to recommend to Tomm Tennent’s parents. They had no treatment plan because they had never dealt with a case like Tomm’s before. His case was so unique that it caught the attention of researchers. They wanted to solve the mystery of his excess skin.
The research meant that Tomm had to stay at a medical center where many tests were done. All the while, his parents remained with their baby. This was not an easy period for any of them, but they prevailed for the sake of Tomm. All the while, Tomm Tennent displayed only the typical behaviors of a boy his age, and he was not aware of his unique condition at all. In fact, he was a very affectionate child.
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Tomm Tennent and Shar Pei puppies
After a while, the researchers discovered a similarity between Tomm Tennent’s appearance and shar pei puppies. They are born with a large amount of skin which they must grow into. Additionally, Tomm was born with 100 times more hyaluronic acid in his skin, which is the same thing for shar peis. In the puppies’ case, they grow into their skin. So, the doctors prayed against all odds that this was the case for Tomm.
Luckily, the doctors were right. As he grew up, the excess skin reduced. As a young boy, he still looked a bit different, but nothing like how he looked as a baby. This year he turned 29 years old, and it appears that he has married the woman of his dreams, Hannah.
Keep Reading: Infant born with rare skin condition becomes miracle to parents
Sources
- “Tomm Tennent: The unique baby born with enough skin to cover the body of a five-year-old child.” Bored Daddy. Monica P.
- “Tomm Tennet, the baby born with skin that would be enough for a 5-year-old.” Top Radio.