Doctor Blog

I stumbled across a YouTube video about a rare genetic dis order called Progeria. For the purpose of this page, I would explain it in the best possible way so that a lame man especially from this side of the world called Nigeria would not tag anyone born with this rare disorder as a witch or wizard.

Hutchinson- Gildford syndrome also known as Progeria is a rare genetic condition that causes a child's body to age fast or grow old quickly. Most kids with Progeria do not live past the age of 13. The disease affects both sexes and all races equally.  It is not inherited or passed down in families. It has no cure but some treatments can help delay some symptons such as drinking of plenty water  especially when a progeria child is sick or hot. Physical and occupational therapy helps to keep their stiff joints moving.

Kids with progeria look healthy when they are born but start showing signs of the disease during their  first year. They do not grow or gain weight normally. Progeria does not affect a child's intelligence or brain development at all.

Health problems/ strokes are eventual causes of death in most children with progeria.

Traits of progeria syndrome includes a bigger head, large eyes, small lower jaw, beaked nose, incomplete closure of the eye lids, hair loss including eyelashes and eye brows, thinning, spotty and wrinkled skin, visible veins and high pitched voice.

While the health issues includes delayed or abnormal tooth formation, fragile bones, some hearing loss, stiff joints, hip dislocation and insulin resistance.  Source ( mayo clinic and web MD).

Hmmmm while we pray none of us experience this syndrome through a family member or offspring, let's be sensitive and be ahead of our game if we find any child experiencing this syndrome.