PROGERIA SYNDROMEBy Lauren Wilson

“We’re looking forward to….a cure or a treatment.”John Tacket, age 15 Bay City Michigan (fatal gene)

What is Progeria Syndrome? Progeria is an extremely rare and severe,

genetic condition where a child ages very rapidly at a very young age.

This syndrome occurs 1 in every 8 million children.

The average child diagnosed with Progeria usually lives to be teenagers.

Children usually die at age 13 with atherosclerosis.

The longest a Progeria patient has lived is to 21.

Facts: There are 82 children being tested by the

Progeria Research Foundation. Of all the side affects that a Progeria child

has, their intellect is never an issue. First described by Dr. Jonathan Hutchinson

in 1886 and Dr. Hastings Gilford in 1904. Other Progeria syndromes include Werner's

syndrome, also known as "adult progeria" which doesn’t have an affect until the late teen years, with a life span into the 40's and 50's.

Also known as:

Gilford’s syndrome Hutchinson-Gilford progeria Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome Souques-Charcot syndrome

(a variant of this syndrome) HGPS Werner Syndrome (adult

Progeria)

Features of a Progeria patient: Dwarfism.  Small face and jaw in relation to size of head. Delayed tooth formation. Wrinkled and aged-looking skin.  Stiffness of joints. Hip dislocation. Baldness Pinched nose. Mental growth is equivalent to other children of the same age. Most children with Progeria live no longer than their early

teenage years, though one or two have lived to be as old as 20 or 21.

Generalized atherosclerosis and cardiovascular problems. Children suffering from this disease tend to have remarkably

similar appearance in spite of being of different racial background.

Kristian Age 4

Age 13

Age 6

“As a child everyone is told not to grow up to fast but what if physically, you did not have a choice?”

Progeria Cases“…these extraordinary children are intelligent,

courageous, and full of life.”-PRF

Cameron

Showed signs of Progeria when he was18-24 months old.

Lives in Michigan. 1 of 15 children in

the U.S. to be diagnosed.

Hayley

Lives in the U.K. Only 2 cases known. Diagnosed at age 10.

Michiel & Amber

Live in Belgium. Only siblings in the

world. Michiel diagnosed at

age 4, Amber at only 3 weeks old.

Treatments:

Hydrotherapy Nutrini Pro-Cal Asprin Fluoride Vitamin E Snoezelen (Sensory Room)

Organizations Supporting Progeria:

Progeria Research Foundation

• Information about Progeria• Ways to Donate and get Involved.• Meet the kids, parents and doctors of Progeria.• Medical Research

The Sunshine Foundation “The Original Wish Granting Organization”• About the site• Donations• Programs• Supporters• News• Volunteer Chapters

“Together, we WILL find a cure.”

Works Cited

http://manbir-online.com/diseases/progeria.htm

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Progeria+pictures&form=QBIL&qs=n&sc=1-17#focal=a2947f9f7bab7b396dd4cf93a14818e8&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.usatoday.com%2Fnews%2F_photos%2F2003%2F04%2F17-progeria-inside.jpg

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Progeria+pictures&form=QBIL&qs=n&sc=1-17#focal=ca4bbce8d72bcb48422c277ad1748da6&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unc.edu%2Fcourses%2F2004spring%2Fengl%2F012%2F070%2F90424%2Fimages%2Fhgps.jpeg

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Progeria+pictures&form=QBIL&qs=n&sc=1-17#focal=ca4bbce8d72bcb48422c277ad1748da6&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unc.edu%2Fcourses%2F2004spring%2Fengl%2F012%2F070%2F90424%2Fimages%2Fhgps.jpeg

http://www.progeriaresearch.org/quick_facts.html

http://hayleyspage.com/gallery.htm