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What are the symptoms of progeria?

Signs and symptoms of progeria usually appear in a child from around the age of one year. These can include: weighing less and being shorter than others their age; aged-looking skin; hair loss and baldness; visible veins; a small face with a pinched nose relative to head size, and; delayed tooth formation.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is progeria?

Progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), is an extremely rare genetic condition that causes children to prematurely age.

What causes progeria?

Progeria is caused by a rare genetic mutation of the LMNA gene. In progeria, the LMNA gene is changed at a very specific point, which causes a range of symptoms associated with premature ageing. The mutation or alteration to LMNA occurs at random, which means that …

Who gets progeria?

Progeria is a random and rare genetic condition that affects one in four million newborns worldwide.

How is progeria diagnosed?

It is possible to diagnose progeria using a genetic test. This involves taking a blood sample to see if there is a mutation in the LMNA gene.

How is progeria treated?

Currently there is no cure for progeria; however, research is ongoing. There are medications available to manage some symptoms and improve quality of life. These include cholesterol-lowering medications to slow atherosclerosis and osteoporosis medication to …

Can progeria be cured?

Currently there is no cure for progeria.

Is progeria contagious?

Progeria is not contagious.

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About this article

Author: Dr Idan Ben-Barak PhD, MSc, BSc (Med)
First answered: 07 Oct 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Votes: 123 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Fetal alcohol syndrome

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