Prader-Willi Syndrome: Constant Hunger, Low Muscle Tone and Care

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder that causes:

• poor muscle tone;
• low levels of sex hormones;
• a constant feeling of hunger.

The part of the brain that controls feelings of hunger and fullness doesn't work properly, so people with PWS overeat, leading to obesity.

Signs

In babies: usually floppy, with poor muscle tone and trouble sucking. Boys may have undescended testicles.

Later:

• short stature;
• poor motor skills;
• weight gain;
• underdeveloped sex organs;
• mild intellectual and learning disabilities.

Treatment

There is no cure. Growth hormone, exercise and supervised diet help build muscle and control weight; other treatments may include sex hormones and behavior therapy. Most people with PWS need specialized care and supervision throughout life.

Sources

Based on "Prader-Willi Syndrome," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the NIH National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; a work of the United States government in the public domain.