Prader-Willi Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects approximately one in every 15,000 children and is the most common genetic cause of life-threatening obesity in children today. Prader-Willi Syndrome first appeared in medical research in 1956 when three Swiss doctors, Andrea Prader, Alexis Labhart and Heinrich Willi described the clinical characteristics of nine children they were working with. Since that time, research has greatly expanded and new ways of recognizing and handling the disorder have emerged.
Prader-Willi Syndrome is a complex genetic disorder that affects both males and females, regardless of race. Though complex, it is known that it results from an abnormality on the 15th chromosome and is the most common known genetic cause of life-threatening obesity in children today. Subtle symptoms of the disorder can sometimes signal a serious condition, making it imperative for parents to stay informed on medical testing, advances and resources available today. Understanding the characteristics of PWS, along with treatment and management options are helping families live happy, productive and longer lives.
Prader-Willi Syndrome causes low muscle tone, short stature, incomplete sexual development and a chronic feeling of hunger coupled with a drastically slower metabolism, making constant supervision necessary. The IQs of children born with PWS vary from 40 to 105, though even those with normal IQs experience learning disabilities ranging from lack of attention span to problems with abstract thinking. Children with PWS tend to have sweet and loving personalities, though most also experience social and motor deficits. The major medical concern with PWS is morbid obesity, although with proper weight management, people with PWS usually experience good health and an average life expectancy.
Because Prader-Willi Syndome has many characteristics, there are a number of avenues of treating the disorders that accompany PWS. Recently, research has been done into the use of Chiropractic care to manage many of the wide-ranging affects of PWS including anxiety, scoliosis, immune system problems and behavior. Chiropractic neurology has shown to be an incredibly affective and fast-acting treatment for all of these symptoms and more. With the added bonus that the treatments are drug-free, it is no wonder that this avenue for treatment is becoming more and more popular.
As research continues on this lesser known syndrome, parents and professionals working with children who suffer from PWS are encouraged to stay informed through resources such as The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association website. For more information on how chiropractic neurology can help with the symptoms associated with Prade-Willi Syndrome, please contact Dr. Marc Ellis and his team at the Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today at 770-644-4288.