Prader-Willi
The average height for people with Prader-Willi syndrome is 150 cm in women and 155 cm in men.
Cause
Prader-Willi syndrome is thought to occur as a result of an abnormality in the chromosome number 15. How this issue causes Prader-Willi is still unclear.
Signs and Complications
- Low birth weight.
- Muscle weakness – the child may not be able to move properly and will sleep a lot.
- Narrow forehead and almond-shaped eyes, small hands and feet.
- In boys, the penis is generally small.
- Behavioural problems - the child may have obsessive behaviour.
- Delayed sexual development.
- Feeding problems - babies will often feed very slowly and drink very little.
- Enormous appetite - by the time the child reaches a pre-school age, they will have developed a very strong appetite. Parents will have to regulate the diet to prevent obesity.
- Delayed motor development - the child will be slow to sit, crawl and walk. The assistance of a physiotherapist is often required.
- Delayed mental development – the child may have learning difficulties and need to go to a special school.
Treatment
Requires a multi-disciplinary approach to tackle each symptom specifically. Includes using tubes or special bottle nipples to help the infant feed, as well as treatment with growth hormone.