A BABY girl with an extremely rare genetic condition has been entered into a baby of the month competition.

Bushy-haired Penelope Pickup has congenital hyperinsulinism, which affects just one-in-50,000 children worldwide and causes her body to produce too much insulin.

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As a result, the Great Harwood youngster has an impressive full head of hair.

Penelope has had her picture shown at an international Congenital Hyperinsulinism Family Conference, at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in America, where people affected by the disease came together to raise awareness.

And now her parents Lee and Gianna, who are expecting a baby boy in August, have called on the Lancashire Telegraph’s readers to help her win the Baby of the Month competition to win a place in a national 2015 Baby of the Year competition run by Baby Photographers.

Five May winners will each receive a £100 Mothercare voucher and will qualify for entry into the to win £2000.

Gianna, a note-taker at Blackburn College, said: “We would be so grateful if we could help her win, as well as giving a little confidence to other parents who have had poorly babies by proving it doesn’t hold them back.

“She has the backing of mums around the world, so it is utterly wonderful that everyone is coming together to help Penelope hopefully win, and then we can raise a little more awareness for her super rare conditions too, as well as it being nice to see a local baby win a national competition.”

Born by emergency caesarean section on June 6 last year, Penelope was 11 days past her due date.

She had to be placed in an intensive care incubator after it was discovered she had inhaled meconium, her first bowel movement, while in the womb, making it difficult for her to breathe independently.

To vote for Penelope, visit www.tinyurl.com/ppickup before the competition closes at 9am on June 1.