Boy in China Born Develops Fish Scales

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - A genetic condition is leading locals of a Chinese village to call a child "fish boy."

The Telegraph reported that Song Sheng, a boy in Jinhu, eastern China, has a rare genetic condition that doesn't let the body cool itself. The boy lacks pores and has instead developed scales. The condition arose within days of his birth.

See a photo of the boy .

Doctors said that his skin peels away like fish-like scales because he can't sweat or lose heat. They said the condition was known as Lamellar ichthyosis and it can be treated but not cured.

The Web site emedicine.com describes the condition as a recessive disorder in which a newborn is born in a membrane that sheds within 10-14 days. After it sheds there is scaling and redness of the skin.

The scaling may be fine or platelike, resembling a fish, according to the site. While not life-threatening, it states that the condition can be disfiguring and cause psychological stress.