title: A survey of 22 individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome in New South Wales.
abstract: Twenty-two individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome in New South Wales were surveyed. The results show that males were diagnosed at a significantly earlier age than females and suggest a recent trend towards earlier diagnosis. The advantages of early diagnosis are discussed. In those in whom cytogenetic studies had been performed, 47% were found to have a deletion involving chromosome 15q11-13. Profound neonatal hypotonia had been present in all cases. Obesity became apparent between 1.5 and 10 years (mean = 3.8 years). Facial dysmorphism was reported in 83% and acromicria in 100%. Sixty-two per cent of subjects were regarded as less pigmented than first degree relatives. Cognitive assessments were performed on nine subjects. Two (22%) were functioning in the normal range of intelligence. Behaviour problems, both food-related and non-food-related, were present in the majority and placed considerable stress on the family caring for the individual with Prader-Willi Syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Medicine, Prince of Wales Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gavranich
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Selikowitz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D002884:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics