Progeria is a rare genetic disorder that causes children to age rapidly, experiencing problems usually seen in the elderly like heart disease, stiffness of joints, and loss of hair and body fat. It affects around 50 children worldwide. Children with Progeria appear to have the appearance of an elderly person and most die of heart attacks or strokes at an average age of 13 years old. There is no cure for Progeria but treatments can help manage symptoms and delay the effects of aging.

1. Lucía Marín Fabián
1º Bachillerato, 2011-2012
I.E. “V. Cañada Blanch” London

2. Progeria is a disorder that affects young children and it is
also known as the Hutchinson Gilford syndrome.

3. Progeria affects children and gives them an old person’s
appearance. The classic type of Progeria (there are
different forms) is the Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome
(HGPS).

4.  At present there are 53
known cases of Progeria
around the world and only 2
in the UK

5.  Signs of Progeria may
include:
 Growth failure
 Loss of body fat
 Loss of hair
 Skin starts to look aged
 Stiffness in the joints
 Hip dislocation
 Generalized
atherosclerosis (cardio
and heart disease)
 Stroke

6. • “90% of children with Progeria have a mutation on the
gene that encodes Lamin A, a protein that holds the
nucleus of the cell together. It is believed that the
defective Lamin A protein makes the nucleus unstable.
This instability seems to lead to the process of premature
aging among Progeria patients”.
• Progeria appears to occur without cause - it is not seen in
siblings of affected children. In extremely rare cases more
than one child in the same family may have the condition

7. Treatment
• There's no cure for Progeria.
• Regular monitoring for cardiovascular disease may help with
managing the child's condition.

8. Certain therapies may help ease or delay some of the signs and
symptoms. They include:
• Low-dose aspirin. A daily dose may help prevent heart attacks and
strokes.
• Other medications. Depending on the child's condition, the doctor
may prescribe other medications, such as statins to lower cholesterol or
anticoagulants to help prevent blood clots. The use of growth hormone
may help increase height and weight.
• Physical and occupational therapy. These may help with joint stiffness
and hip problems and may allow the child to remain active.
• Extraction of primary teeth. Your child's permanent teeth may start
coming in before his or her baby teeth fall out. Extraction may help
prevent problems associated with the delayed loss of baby teeth,
including overcrowding and developing a second row of teeth when
permanent teeth come in.

10.  www.medicalnewstoday.com
 http://healthmad.com/conditions-and-
diseases/progeria-the-80-year-old-children/
 Hayley’s page.
 www.mayoclinic.com
 Google images.
 www.youtube.com