EON

Portland, Maine -  “Mermaid Girl” Shiloh Pepin, who was born with her legs fused together, has died at the age of 10.

Shiloh was born with a condition called sirenomelia, sometimes called “mermaid syndrome.” The condition is caused by decreased blood flow from the lower aorta during pregnancy.

In addition to having both legs fused together, she had no lower colon or genital organs, and only one kidney.

Sometimes, surgery can separate the legs of a child with sirenomelia. Shiloh could not have this surgery, since it would have cut open blood vessels that connected the legs. When she was born, doctors predicted that she would only survive for a few days.

She required two kidney transplants during her lifetime. She was admitted to the hospital for the last time on October 10, after a severe cold turned into pneumonia.

Shiloh has inspired many through news articles, Facebook, and other web sites. She has been on many television programs, including recent appearances on The Learning Channel and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

She was a fifth grade student at Kennebunkport Consolidated School. School district chairwoman Maureen King described her as a “shining personality,” and arranged for counselors to talk to students next week.