Prader Willi syndrome is a hereditary disorder affecting physical as well as mental health. It would affect the brain signals triggering intense feeling of hunger. People with PW syndrome will end up overeating leading to obesity. Children with this syndrome will have poor muscle tone and will have trouble in feeding. This disorder will also affect the sex hormones and boys born with this syndrome will have un-descended testicles.
In addition this disorder will also affect the intellectual skill of the child causing learning and behavioral problems. It needs special care and various control measures to keep the symptoms under control. Children born with this disorder should be under medical guidance for many years. This rare disorder can be identified if the child is constantly feeling hungry even after feeding the stomach in full. They will be adamant in eating more and this will lead to weight gain and obesity.
Prader Willi Syndrome Symptoms :
Infants with Prader Willi syndrome will have distinct facial features like narrowed head, almond shaped eyes, upside down mouth and thin lining of lip. They will have poor muscle tone called hypotonia. Because of this, the babies will let loose their elbows or knees when they are resting instead of being fixed.
Due to poor sucking reflex, the baby may not be able to feed properly and hence some babies will not thrive. This happens only for the first year of the child after which he starts eating very much. There will not be eye coordination and hence the baby will not stay focused on any one object or thing. His eyes will be wandering on the sides. These babies will look always tired and will not respond to stimulation.
Early Childhood :
During the developmental stage of 1-5 years, there will be craving for food constantly. Certain brain signals that control the feeling of hunger are defective in these children and hence they will be eating more leading to overweight.