Givaldi's Syndrome

Givaldi's Syndrome is a rare illness found aboard children born to mothers traveling through Drillspace. Thought to have some form of genetic component, it is extremely hard to identify until the child reaches sexual maturity, however is obvious once this occours, as the child will suddenly only act on the most basic of instinct. Sufferers will be found, laying completely motionless, yet clearly awake. When presented with food, they will eat - but they won't seek it themselves. They will drink water, but only if it is presented to them. In a sense, they are extremely easy to look after - but seeing the living dead can destroy a loved one.
The worst part is, MRI's show that the rest of the brain is still operating on it's usual schedule. It's as if the main consciousness is present, but unable to come back out.

Transmission & Vectors

This disease is not transmitted, but simply comes into effect once the sufferer begins sexual maturity.

Symptoms

There are no symptoms prior to the rapid, sudden appearance. One day, there will be no response from the sufferer, except in response to essential survival stimuli.

Treatment

Attempted treatments have included mind-uploading and scanning, however subjects have gone brain-dead completely upon attempting this. Due to ethics issues, tests have almost entirely been halted.

Prognosis

Analysis of the brain structure shows that there is a lack of communication between the majority of the brain, except for the elements directly used to keep the brain alive. For that reason, it is believed that birth within drill space may affect how puberty affects the brain in some. The only solution is to keep sufferers in hospitals, where they are strangely able to feed themselves - but never to speak.

History

Cases of this illness are found throughout all of Human History; women who don't know they are pregnant, or who do - but were not expecting to give birth, suddenly giving birth to children aboard star-ships. Since this began, approximately 6% of all children born this way were reported to go suddenly braindead. This lead to restrictions on star-flight for adults in late-stage pregnancy.
The illness has made a slight resurgence after The Scream, as many simply have no option but to risk this illness within the modern void.

Type

Mental

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Congenital

Rarity

Extremely Rare