Guide To Treating Prader-Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder that affects approximately one out of every fifteen thousand newborns. Less than twenty thousand cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. The condition can cause a variety of physical, intellectual, and behavioral issues. The signature characteristics of Prader-Willi syndrome are weight problems, intellectual delays, behavioral disturbances, and short stature. Prader-Willi syndrome is a significant cause of childhood obesity. Around age two, the symptomatic inability to feel full (hyperphagia) presents itself. This condition is caused by a chromosome 15 abnormality passed on by the child's father.

While there is no known cure for Prader-Willi syndrome, there are a variety of treatments patients can still try to manage their symptoms and live a full life.

Growth Hormone Therapy

Various studies have demonstrated growth hormone therapy is effective in reducing the severity of Prader-Willi syndrome symptoms. Many patients with the disorder experience poor muscle tone and body development, and a human growth hormone (HGH) treatment has been proven to positively impact physical growth while some studies even suggest an improvement in cognitive abilities and behavior. HGH treatments for Prader-Willi syndrome are approved by theFederal Drug Administration (FDA), and doctors believe even some adults with this condition can benefit from continued growth hormone therapy as their natural HGH levels are lower than their non-Prader-Willi syndrome peers.

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