Interdisciplinary behavioral intervention for life-threatening obesity in an adolescent with Prader-Willi syndrome - a case report.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate interdisciplinary behavioral rehabilitation for life-threatening obesity in an adolescent female with Prader-Willi syndrome.


METHODS
Body Mass Index (BMI), supplemental oxygen requirement, mobility, and tantrums were documented. A 600 kcal per day diet, physical therapy, and exercise were implemented in an inpatient setting. A behavioral program was employed by an interdisciplinary team to ensure dietary adherence and to increase patient compliance with therapy demands. Family caregivers were trained and continued the intervention at home.


RESULTS
Important improvements were achieved and maintained including weight loss, decreased need for supplemental oxygen, greater exercise tolerance, and fewer tantrums. The patient's BMI decreased from 84.3 to 59.8 during inpatient treatment, and to 41.0 at last follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Behavioral rehabilitation can be beneficial and potentially life saving for morbidly obese children with Prader-Willi syndrome, and perhaps for other obese youth with developmental or behavioral problems.
Messersmith
Natalie Vona
NV
Pediatric Psychology Clinic and Consultation Service, Department of Behavioral Psychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. njvona@gmail.com
Slifer
Keith J
KJ
Pulbrook-Vetter
Valerie
V
Bellipanni
Kimberly
K
D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*