Final answer:
Early diagnosis and treatment can improve life for children with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) by managing weight and enhancing quality of life with growth hormones and psychoactive medications. Genetic testing and behavioral criteria are used for diagnosis. Treatments focus on diet and possibly gene therapy, but there is no cure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early diagnosis and treatment can improve quality of life for a child with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), although most individuals with PWS will need specialized care and supervision throughout their lives. There is no current treatment or cure for PWS, but managing weight can significantly increase life expectancies of affected individuals. Growth hormones and psychoactive medications have been noted to enhance quality of life for those with PWS.
Behavioral diagnostic criteria for PWS include lack of muscle tone and poor sucking behavior in infancy, developmental delays in early childhood, and the onset of excessive eating and cognitive deficits later. Genetic testing can confirm a diagnosis of PWS, which is a genetic disorder leading to intense hunger and reduced metabolism, commonly causing morbid obesity and associated cognitive and emotional challenges.
PWS is linked to abnormalities in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain involved in hunger regulation. Treatment strategies may comprise diet modification, vitamin supplementation, and perhaps gene therapy, although damage to the central nervous system is generally irreversible. Intensive behavioral treatment, particularly in conditions like autism, has shown promise, but no similar cure exists for PWS to date.