What is Prader-Willi Syndrome?

This Eating Disorder Can be the Cause of Birth Defects in Babies

Aug 28, 2006

Prader-Willi Syndrome is an eating disorder that can be the cause of birth defects in babies. It is relatively unknown to the general public.

So what is Prader-Willi Syndrome? Is it an eating disorder? Can it be the cause of birth defects in babies?

Prader-Willi Syndrome is an almost unknown disease on the eating disorder spectrum. It is believed to be caused by an abnormality in genes at or near the time of conception; it's a spontaneous error that occurs for unknown reasons. If a genetic mutation that hasn't effected one of the parents is passed down, this could cause more than one child to be affected.

This complex genetic disorder usually causes low muscle tone, short stature, incomplete sexual development, cognitive disabilities, problem behaviours and a chronic feeling of hunger. This appetite commonly leads to excessive eating and even life-threatening obesity.

As babies, though, they often cannot get enough nourishment because their lack of muscle tone prevents them from being able to suck as strongly as they need to. This often initiates special feeding techniques or tube feeding for several months after birth, until muscle control improves.

Sometimes people with Prader-Willi Syndrome will begin to steal and eat pet foods or other items that are spoiled. Because of their deficiency of hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates hunger, they don't ever actually feel full. The brain doesn't register feelings of hunger and satiety like other people.

This can also trigger a sleep disorder or abnormality, bouts of rage, a higher threshold for pain and compulsive behaviours such as picking at the skin or even psychoses.

Children who inherit this illness can have delayed motor development, abnormal growth, speech impairments, dental problems and type II diabetes. If weight can be controlled, then life expectancy will remain normal. This is a rare condition that produces much stress in families and a proper diagnosis is of the utmost importance to help find medical and emotional support.

It is estimated that one in 12,000-15,000 people has Prader-Willi Syndrome. Although rare, it is the most common genetic cause of obesity that has been found and one of the most common conditions seen in genetics clinics. It does not discriminate between sex or race.

The copyright of the article What is Prader-Willi Syndrome? in Eating Disorders is owned by Lori Henry. Permission to republish What is Prader-Willi Syndrome? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.