Progeria is a rare genetic condition that produces rapid aging in children.
Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome; HGPS
Progeria is a rare condition that is remarkable because its symptoms strongly resemble normal human aging, but occur in young children. It usually is not passed down through families. Rarely is it seen in more than one child in a family.
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and order laboratory tests. This may show:
Cardiac stress testing may reveal signs of early atherosclerosis of blood vessels.
Genetic testing can detect changes in the gene that causes progeria.
There is no specific treatment for progeria.
Progeria Research Foundation, Inc. -- www.progeriaresearch.org
Progeria causes early death. Patients usually only live to their teenage years. However, some patients can live into their early 20s. The cause of death is usually related to the heart or a stroke.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your child does not appear to be growing or developing normally.
Brown WT. Progeria. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 90.