What is Prader-Willi syndrome?
Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects many parts of the body.
Prader-Willi syndrome is caused by a genetic change on chromosome 15. This change happens by chance
What is Prader-Willi syndrome?
Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects many parts of the body.
Prader-Willi syndrome is caused by a genetic change on chromosome 15. This change happens by chance and isn’t inherited.
This syndrome is a rare condition, which happens in 1 in 15 000 births.
Signs and symptoms of Prader-Willi syndrome
The signs and symptoms of Prader-Willi syndrome vary.
Children with Prader-Willi syndrome are typically floppy when they’re newborns. They have feeding difficulties because their low muscle tone makes it hard for them to suck. Often these newborns need help from a feeding tube.
Low muscle tone also means that it takes children with Prader-Willi syndrome longer to reach developmental milestones like sitting, crawling and walking.
Other physical signs and symptoms can include:
- facial features like a narrow bridge of the nose, a high and narrow forehead, a thin upper lip and downturned mouth, almond-shaped eyes and a squint
- failure to thrive in infancy
- short stature
- small hands and feet
- obesity from overeating, which can start at 2-4½ years
- undescended testicles and small genitalia in boys
- irregular or no periods in girls
- high tolerance of pain
- problems regulating body temperature, which means children might not get fevers when they have infections
- inability to vomit
- lighter skin, eyes and hair compared with other family members
- excessive sleepiness during the day.
Most children with Prader-Willi syndrome have mild to moderate intellectual disability.
They might have:
- difficulty with maths, reading and writing
- poor short-term memory
- difficulty recognising and interpreting sounds
- difficulty with organising information, problem-solving and planning
- poor social and emotional skills
- speech and language delays and difficulties.
One of the key characteristics of Prader-Willi syndrome is excessive appetite. This can lead to overeating and obesity. Other behavioural signs might include:
- strong preoccupation with food, which makes it hard for children to concentrate on other things
- unusual behaviour related to food – for example, hoarding food
- high sensitivity to stress, which makes it hard for children to cope with things like changes to routine
- difficulty telling the difference between real things and made-up things
- temper tantrums and aggressive behaviour
- manipulative behaviour.
Some children with Prader-Willi syndrome might also have sleep problems and compulsive behaviour, including picking at their skin and collecting objects.
Medical concerns linked with Prader-Willi syndrome
Children with Prader-Willi syndrome can have medical concerns like:
- rupture of the stomach from overeating
- bowel obstruction
- sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders
- type-2 diabetes
- undetected infections or injuries because of their high pain tolerance
- a higher risk of choking because of their inability to vomit
- growth hormone deficiency
Children with Prader-Willi syndrome often have strengths in:
- long-term memory and visual memory
- tasks that involve visual-spatial skills, like solving jigsaw puzzles
- decoding letter patterns and word recognition
- computer skills.
Children with Prader-Willi syndrome also tend to be caring and personable, with a good sense of humour.
Diagnosis and testing for Prader-Willi syndrome
Health professionals diagnose Prader-Willi syndrome by looking at the physical and other signs listed above. They also use genetic testing.
Early intervention services for children with Prader-Willi syndrome
Early intervention is the best way to support your child’s development. Early intervention includes therapies, education and other supports that will help your child reach their full potential.
Early intervention should also include helping you learn how to spend time with your child in ways that support their development. Children learn the most from the people who care for them and with whom they spend most of their time, so everyday play and communication with you can help your child a lot.
You and your child will probably work with many health and other professionals as part of your child’s early intervention. These professionals might include paediatricians, dietitians, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, endocrinologists, occupational therapists, behavioural therapists, exercise physiologists and special education teachers.
It’s good to see yourself as working in partnership with your child’s professionals. When you combine your deep knowledge of your child with the professionals’ expertise, you’re more likely to get the best outcomes for your child.
Financial support for children with Prader-Willi syndrome
If your child has a confirmed diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome, your child can get support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIS helps you get services and support in your community. It also gives you funding for things like early intervention therapies and assistive technologies.
Looking after yourself and your family
Although it’s easy to get caught up in looking after your child with Prader-Willi syndrome,