Prader-Willi syndrome
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic condition thatcauses a wide range of problems.
Thesemay include:
The condition is rare, affecting no more than one in every 15,000 children born in England. Boys and girls of all ethnic backgrounds may be affected.
For parents, this includes dealing withtheir child'sexcessive eating and behavioural problems.
Trying to get your child to stick to a healthy, balanced diet and maintain a normal weight is one of the most important parts of caring for a child with Prader-Willi syndrome. It's also probably one of the most challenging and frustrating.
If children are allowed to eat as much as they want, they'll quickly become dangerously overweight. A child with the syndrome can eat three to six times more than other children of the same age and still feel hungry.
However restricting a child's diet is not easy. They can be highly obsessive when it comes to eating, and their hunger can cause them to hide or steal food.
If the obesity isn't treated, a person with the syndrome will probablydie a lot younger than would normally be expected.
Compulsive eating can also cause health problems such as an abnormally expanded stomach and choking. Due to the potential risk of choking, all parents of a child withPrader-Willi syndromeare advised to learn the Heimlich manoeuvre.
However, because oftheir behavioural problems and learning difficulties, it's unlikely they'll be able to live fully independent lives.
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic condition that causes a wide range of symptoms including constant hunger, restricted growth and learning difficulites.
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) can cause a wide range of symptoms that will affect your child's physical, psychological and behavioural development.
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic condition that is caused by a defect in a chromosome.
A definitive diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) can usually be made by running a series of genetic tests.