Progeria is a condition that causes patients to prematurely appear to be aging. It is seen very early in life in children, and symptoms are usually detected within the first months after birth in affected patients. This is a very rare condition that is caused by a genetic mutation. The condition causes a variety of different problems for affected individuals including cardiovascular problems and stroke. It can also create problems such as early kidney failure or bone weaknesses that lead to issues such as hip dislocation.At the same time, affected individuals are not impacted neurologically and typically display normal intelligence levels. Problems resulting from the condition usually lead to death in affected individuals due to either heart attack or stroke before they reach the age of 13. However, some patients with the condition have managed to survive to the age of 20.
There is no cure for progeria. Any available treatment focuses on treating the complications that typically result from the condition rather than treating the condition itself. For example, affected individuals can be treated for cardiovascular disease through procedures including coronary bypass surgery or prescribing regular intake of low-dose aspirin. Treatment for progeria often also includes treatment for arthritis and respiratory weaknesses.Although there is currently no treatment, researchers have attempted to treat the condition with growth hormone treatment. Progeria is an extremely rare condition and there are currently only 140 known cases reported throughout medical history. There are also no known risk factors that increase an individual's or infant's chance of experiencing the condition. In the vast majority of cases, the condition results from a random gene mutation that is not brought about by any familial genetic factor, lifestyle, or environmental condition.An infant's pediatrician will typically become aware of the condition very early on who the child fails to gain weight properly. However, there are a variety of additional symptoms for the condition other than slow development. The following are seven common symptoms that patients with progeria typically exhibit. These symptoms usually become increasingly apparent over time as the child ages.
There is no cure for progeria. Any available treatment focuses on treating the complications that typically result from the condition rather than treating the condition itself. For example, affected individuals can be treated for cardiovascular disease through procedures including coronary bypass surgery or prescribing regular intake of low-dose aspirin. Treatment for progeria often also includes treatment for arthritis and respiratory weaknesses.Although there is currently no treatment, researchers have attempted to treat the condition with growth hormone treatment. Progeria is an extremely rare condition and there are currently only 140 known cases reported throughout medical history. There are also no known risk factors that increase an individual's or infant's chance of experiencing the condition. In the vast majority of cases, the condition results from a random gene mutation that is not brought about by any familial genetic factor, lifestyle, or environmental condition.An infant's pediatrician will typically become aware of the condition very early on who the child fails to gain weight properly. However, there are a variety of additional symptoms for the condition other than slow development. The following are seven common symptoms that patients with progeria typically exhibit. These symptoms usually become increasingly apparent over time as the child ages.