What's wrong with little Emma Lynn Kissock?

Since September, Emma Lynn Kissock has been seen by 50 doctors, undergone seven surgeries, been resuscitated eight times, worn a chest-to-ankle cast and -- most recently -- had a feeding tube attached. Despite all the tests and medical examinations, doctors haven't been able to figure out what's wrong with her. Adding to the anxiety is Emma's age: the Bloomington girl turned 1 just two weeks ago. "We think it's a syndrome," said Jean Rollins, the parish nurse at St. John's Lutheran Church in Chaska, which held a fundraiser for Emma last week. "It could be so rare that no one's run into it as yet."

Dr. Nancy Mendelsohn, a geneticist at Minneapolis Children's Medical Center, has been sending information about Emma's case to colleagues around the country without success.

Mendelsohn readily admits that she hasn't been able to figure out what's ailing Emma -- and even speculates that there is a chance that doctors might never be able to say what is causing her condition.

"I feel this is a puzzle we're putting together," Mendelsohn said. "We never say 'never,' but we do sometimes say we don't have any great ideas."

Although Mendelsohn said it is too early to declare that Emma is suffering from a new type of syndrome or illness, the girl's family and some of the people treating her have given her condition a nickname.

"They call it Emma's syndrome," Rollins said, "because they can't figure it out."

Robin Kissock, Emma's mother, said the situation has strained the family emotionally and financially. She said the family was incredibly grateful for the more than $15,000 donated at last week's fundraiser at their church.

Although Emma was born four weeks premature, she seemed healthy for the first five months of her life, her mother said.

The problems began innocently enough in September with what appeared to be a cold -- a fever, some sneezing, an occasional cough.

Later that month, doctors said Emma's immune system was depressed. A short time later she was found to have torticollis, or wry neck, which caused her to look mainly in one direction because of tight neck muscles.

Before the end of the month, Emma was in the emergency room with pneumonia, and she later was found to have an umbilical hernia and apnea, which caused her to stop breathing.

As a result, the entire Kissock family -- including her 11-year-old sister Michelle -- learned infant CPR in case they had to resuscitate Emma.

All told, Emma spent 12 days in the hospital in September. In October she spent seven days after developing a urinary tract infection and aspirating formula.

She was hospitalized for 13 days in November with another urinary tract infection and a dislocated hip socket. Doctors also found she had reflux.

But December was the toughest month. Emma spent a total of 18 days in the hospital. She underwent bladder surgery, suffered kidney failure and had to be resuscitated eight times after she stopped breathing.

Her prognosis

Emma is on several pain medications, which must be given every six hours. Her mother said that is not likely to change anytime soon.

Yet, family and friends say that throughout the ordeal, Emma has remained good-natured.

The girl's plight has become a rallying point for church members, who hosted the fundraiser and -- on the same day -- a party for Emma's first birthday.

"Emma is an amazing little girl," Rollins said. "When she smiles and giggles, she can melt your heart.

"She has already faced in less than a year more than most of us will have to face in a lifetime."