Final answer:
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) in early infancy is characterized by poor muscle tone, feeding difficulties, developmental delays, and distinctive facial features. The disorder is caused by a genetic anomaly affecting chromosome 15, which leads to unregulated hunger and eating behaviors. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, as there is no cure.
Step-by-step explanation:
In early infancy, Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is characterized by poor muscle tone, feeding difficulties, and developmental delays with distinctive facial features. Children diagnosed with PWS show symptoms such as hypotonia, which leads to poor sucking behavior, making it difficult for them to feed properly. This period is followed by developmental delays typically identified between the ages of 6 and 12 years.
Furthermore, as children with PWS get older, they exhibit an insatiable appetite, often leading to obesity due to their unregulated desire for food and a reduced metabolic rate. PWS is caused by a loss of function of specific genes on chromosome 15, affecting the hypothalamus's ability to regulate hunger. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PWS, but with proper management, such as controlled eating and the use of certain medications and growth hormones, the life expectancy and quality of life can be significantly improved.
It is also noted that many individuals with PWS experience hypothalamic abnormalities, leading to a failure to reach sexual maturity during adolescence. The condition is not generally inherited, with genetic changes occurring during the formation of the egg or sperm, or in embryonic development.