Progeria affects one in every four million to eight million births; there are about 50 cases currently recognized worldwide with 10 to 12 in the U.S. Common symptoms include
fragile bones, hair loss, limited growth, stiff joints and wrinkling of the skin by as
young as age two; about 90 percent of progeria patients die by age 13 from fatal
heart attacks or strokes, according to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.