Once She Falls Asleep, She Can't Wake Up for Up to 13 Days... Indonesia's 'Sleeping Girl'

After Hitting Head on Floor in 2016
Suspected 'Sleeping Princess Syndrome'

An Indonesian girl has been experiencing an unusual symptom of sleeping continuously for up to 13 days. Photo by Echa's father, Mulyadi, Facebook capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A girl in Indonesia has been experiencing an unusual condition of sleeping for up to 13 days straight, and her family is seeking help.

Local media such as Banjarmasin Post reported on the 9th (local time) that Echa (17), who lives in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan on the island of Borneo, has been suffering from this condition since she hit her head on the asphalt ground in a motorcycle accident in 2016.

When Echa falls into a deep sleep, she cannot wake up for at least 20 hours. At the time of the accident, examinations showed no abnormalities in her brain or nerves.

However, as time passed after the accident, her symptoms worsened.

In 2017, she did not wake up for 13 days. Recently, she has been sleeping continuously for 8 days since the night of the 1st.

Echa's father, Mulyadi, posted a photo of his sleeping daughter on Facebook on the 2nd, when she fell into a deep sleep, appealing for help.

Mulyadi wrote, "Echa fell asleep again last night," adding, "She has not woken up yet. We are feeding her while she is asleep. Please pray for her."

After being taken to the hospital emergency room on the 3rd, Echa underwent tests including X-rays, CT scans, MRI, sleep EEG, and blood tests for three days, but no abnormalities were found.

Currently, Echa has returned home but remains asleep.

On the same day, her father posted another photo of his sleeping daughter on Facebook, writing, "On the 8th day, Echa is still in a deep sleep," and "Please do not forget to pray."

Local media reported that Echa's symptoms are suspected to be 'Kleine-Levin syndrome,' also known as the 'Sleeping Beauty syndrome.'

Discovered by Kleine and Levin in 1925 and 1936 respectively, this syndrome is characterized by recurrent hypersomnia that can last for weeks.

This syndrome is known to make it impossible for the patient to control their sleep and is accompanied by eating disorders. There are said to be no diagnostic or treatment methods.

Echa's father explained that before falling into a long sleep, she shows prodromal symptoms of pain all over her body from head to toe.

It is also reported that during her long sleep, Echa experiences hallucinations of people dressed in white.