Summary

Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder. It causes poor muscle tone, low levels of sex hormones and a constant feeling of hunger. The part of the brain that controls feelings of fullness or hunger does not work properly in people with PWS. They overeat, leading to obesity.

Babies with PWS are usually floppy, with poor muscle tone, and have trouble sucking. Boys may have undescended testicles. Later, other signs appear. These include:

• Short stature
• Poor motor skills
• Weight gain
• Underdeveloped sex organs
• Mild intellectual and learning disabilities

There is no cure for PWS. Growth hormone, exercise, and dietary supervision can help build muscle mass and control weight. Other treatments may include sex hormones and behavior therapy. Most people with PWS will need specialized care and supervision throughout their lives.

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Learn More

• About Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
• Genes and Disease: Prader-Willi Syndrome (National Center for Biotechnology Information)
• How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
• Prader-Willi Syndrome (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS): Other FAQs (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
• What Are the Symptoms of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
• What Are the Treatments for Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
• What Causes Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
• What is Prader-Willi Syndrome? (Prader-Willi Syndrome Association)

Genetics

• Prader-Willi syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Prader-Willi Syndrome (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Assessment of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis impairment and effects of hydrocortisone treatment in...
• Article: Variant pubertal development in Prader-Willi syndrome: early and slow progression of...
• Article: Height loss with age in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome may result...
• Prader-Willi Syndrome -- see more articles

Patient Handouts

• Prader-Willi syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish