Prader-Willi+Syndrome

=**__Prader-Willi Syndrome:__**= What is it? Prader-Willi Syndrome is one of the most common, lifethreatening genetic diseases for child obesity. It occurs in males and females, no matter what race. As an infant, PWS shows itself in weak muscle tone (hypotonia), feedingdifficulties, poor growth, and delayed development. In the beginning duringchildhood, characterizes itself by having the kids develop an insatiableappetite, which leads to constant overeating (hyperphagia) and obesity. Somepeople with Prader-Willi syndrome, especially those with obesity, also get type two diabetes. **__Causes:__**  Prader-Willi syndrome is a condition caused by an error in a gene orgenes. Although the exact genes responsible for Prader-Willi syndrome haven'tbeen identified, the problem is known to lie in the region of chromosome 15. With the exceptions of genes related to sexcharacteristics, all genes come in pairs. One copy inherited from your father(paternal gene) and one copy inherited from your mother (maternal gene). Prader-Willi syndrome occurs because certain paternal genes that should be expressed aren't for one of the following reasons:
 * Paternal genes on chromosome15 are missing.
 * The person has inherited two copies of chromosome 15 from the mother and no chromosome 15 from the father.
 * There's some error in the paternal genes on chromosome 15.

 As you noticed Angelman and Prader Willi syndrome have both a defect in chromosome 15. If the abnormal chromosome comes from the father(paternal) you get Prader Willi syndrome. But if the abnormal chromosome comes from the mother(maternal) you get Angelman Click Here to see a news report on Prader Willi Syndrome __**Symptoms:**__﻿ The symptoms for kids with Prader-Willi varries with age.  **Symptoms in Infants: **
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 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">__Poor muscle tone__- Babies may rest with their elbows and knees loosely extendedinstead of fixed, and they may feel floppy or like "rag dolls" whenthey're held.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">__Specific facial features__- Children with Prader-Willi syndrome might be born withalmond-shaped eyes, a narrowing of the head at the temples, a turned-down mouthand a thin upper lip.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">__Failure to thrive__- During a baby’s first year of life with PWS might have suckingproblems due to poor muscle tone so then it’s harder for the baby to feed andthe baby gains weight slowly.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">__Lack of eye coordination-__ The eyes of a child with Prader-Willi syndrome may not movetogether. They may go cross eyed or wander to the side (lazy eye).
 * =====__ Generally poor responsiveness- __ A PWS affected baby will seem tired and not act up any type ofactions. Also, their cry’s might sound faint and weak. =====

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**__ Earlychildhood. Ages 1-4:  __** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**__﻿__**
 * ====Food Craving and ALOT of weight gain====
 * =====__Underdeveloped Sex Organs-__Little or no sex hormones are produced. Then there isunderdeveloped sex organs and incomplete development in puberty. Women may not start menstruating until their 30s, or they may never menstruate at all.Men may not have much facial hair and their voices may never fully deepen.=====
 * ==== __Poor growth and physical development__-When children reach their final growth they will be shorter than the restof their family members. They will have short hands and feet due to low muscle mass ====
 * ==== Learning disabilities. ====
 * ==== __Speech problems__-Speech is often delayed until the child is 2 years old. Poorarticulation and stuttering of words may be a continuous problem. ====
 * ==== __Behavioral problems__-Children may at times be very stubborn or throw temper tantrums,especially when you won’t give them food. ====
 * ==== Sleep disorders ====
 * ==== Scoliosis. ====
 * ==== Nearsightedness ====
 * ==== Light skin compared with other family members ====
 * High pain tolerance

Symptoms in older adults and teen who have PWS have some of the same symptoms like a 4 year old. Also, kids and adults suffering from PWS are always hungry. They are always craving food. They are never full. They just constantly eat. Its hard for these people to control themselves and in result to no self control these people get very obese.

There is no cure for Prader Willi Syndrome yet but people everywhere suffering from this genetic disease are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle by trying to keep their mind off of food. On their free time they take walks, go on hikes, work out at the gym, play outside, and try to get atleast an hour of physical activity each day!

__**Claudia Lucciola<3﻿**__

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