A 16-year-old girl named Jasmine Beever from Skegness tragically died due to a rare condition called Rapunzel Syndrome. This condition involves the formation of a large hairball, or trichobezoar, in the stomach, which can extend into the small intestine. Hair, unable to pass through the digestive system efficiently, accumulates and forms a mass that can cause severe health issues.
Jasmine was admitted to the hospital after suddenly falling ill at college. Despite resuscitation efforts, she passed away. An autopsy revealed that a hairball in her stomach had become infected, leading to a burst stomach ulcer that caused her vital organs to shut down. This highlights the deadly nature of Rapunzel Syndrome, which predominantly affects girls over the age of 12.
Symptoms of Rapunzel Syndrome can include intense stomach pain, bloating, weight loss, vomiting after meals, alopecia, and nausea. Dr. Katharine Phillips, a professor of psychiatry, emphasized that the condition’s complications could be fatal, and hair buildup occurs over time.
Jasmine’s death has prompted medical experts to raise awareness about this rare condition. Her family and friends remember her as a bubbly and caring individual, with her friend’s mother describing her as someone who could make a sad face smile. A Just Giving page was set up to help her family with medical expenses.
The tragic case of Jasmine Beever underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the symptoms of Rapunzel Syndrome early to prevent such devastating outcomes.
