One genetic disorder the Weight Assessment Clinic screens for is Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). PWS is a genetic syndrome that occurs in about one out of every 15,000 births. Children with PWS experience symptoms such as poor muscle tone, cognitive impairment, behavior problems, extreme hunger, and obesity.

Kathy Clark, pediatric nurse practitioner, stresses the importance of structure for patients with PWS. Children with PWS have insatiable hunger because their stomach never feels full, which is a challenge for parents trying to combat their child’s obesity. However, PWS patients respond well to rigid rules and structure. Treatment for PWS includes growth hormone therapy, which helps to improve muscle growth, helping patients burn calories better.

One of the most important resources the endocrinology program can provide to parents is education about future health issues and what they can expect in the future. According to Clark, “Most of what children need is somebody who has seen other people with PWS to march them through childhood and tell them what to anticipate; they cannot get that type of specialized information from their pediatrician.”

The key to treating PWS is early diagnosis, which allows parents to take action to prevent their children from ever becoming overweight by imposing rules and patterns.