Prader-Willi Syndrome is a genetic disorder that occurs in approximately 1 in 15,000 live births. It can affect both genders, and all races and ethnic groups. It is characterized by excessive hunger, mental retardation, as well as several other physical symptoms.
Prader-Willi Syndrome is currently diagnosed using genetic testing, especially in newborns with hypotonia, or very low muscle tone (also know as “floppy baby”). There is no cure for Prader-Willi Syndrome, but if it is caught early on in a child’s life, there are treatments available that can offset some of the effects of the disorder.
Those who are afflicted with Prader-Willi Syndrome are at an increased risk for learning difficulties and attention problems. But the biggest problem for patients is an insatiable appetite and preoccupation with food, which often leads to extreme obesity.
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