Over the years, we at Newsner have told many incredible stories about special children who survived against all odds. But few stories have touched the hearts of our readers as much as the case of Tomm Tennet
As some may remember, Tomm was born with enough skin to cover a 5-year-old toddler. The little boy came into the world so wrinkled that doctors said they had never seen anything like it before.

“When he came out I was quite shocked (…) I didn’t think a human, or a little baby, could ever look like that,” Tomm’s dad, Geoff Tennent, told 60 Minutes Australia in 2003.

Since his remarkable birth, it has been a long and winding journey for Tomm and his family – but if we look at him today, 2021, it is difficult not to shed a tear …
A unique child

When Tomm Tennent was born, in South East Australia in 1993, his parents soon realized that he was going to be a special baby.

But before the birth, no one could have guessed that their boy would be described as a medical mystery. However, ultrasounds showed that not everything was how it should be.

When hearing this, Tomm’s parents didn’t know if they would keep the child.

”We sort of discussed this between us, and we decided what’s meant to be is meant to be and we went through with it,” Tomm’s dad, Geoff Tennent, said.

Despite all the tests and routine examinations, no one could have imagined the severity of Tomm’s condition. His parents admitted they were shocked upon seeing him for the first time.

Tomm’s mom, Debbie Tennent, was shocked when her son was placed on her chest in the delivery room.

“My heart came up to my throat, but at the same time it was lovely to pick him up and cuddle him,” she said.
Medical mystery

To medical experts, the boy born wrinkled by an excess of skin was a mystery. They couldn’t figure out what was causing Tomm’s excessive skin, and as a result, they had no treatment and no cure. At first, they were left to hope that he would grow into his skin as he got older.

But Tomm was so unique that researchers decided to invest time and money into studying his case, in a bid to solve the mystery surrounding his condition.

Throughout this time, doctors continued to do everything in their power to find a solution to Tomm’s medical problems. After digging deeper they finally discovered something unexpected. The experts saw similarities between the way the Tomm looked and the Chinese dog breed Shar Pei. That discovery led them to some answers.

Researchers discovered Tomm’s level of Hyaluronic acid, found in skin, was 100 times higher than normal, which is also the case with Shar Pei puppies.

Given that the levels of Hyaluronic acid drop for Shar Peis as they grow up – leaving them with a more normal skin appearance – doctors hoped and prayed it would be the case for Tomm.