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Management of Prader-Willi Syndrome pp 3–14Cite as

Overview

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Abstract

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a recognizable pattern of altered growth and development, the etiology and pathogenesis of which remain unclear. Affected persons face life as potentially overweight, short, sexually immature, developmentally delayed individuals with poor gross motor skills. Usually at least mildly retarded, stubborn, egocentric, and emotionally labile, they rarely develop the ability to cope with their insatiable hunger and require environmental restrictions to prevent life-threatening obesity. Although individuals with PWS and their families face many of the same problems as others who are developmentally disabled, the unique characteristics of the syndrome—cognitive impairment and gross obesity due to uncontrollable hunger—require special care and services.

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Authors
  1. Randell C. Alexander
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  2. James W. Hanson
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Nursing Program Consultant for Prader-Willi Syndrome Iowa Child Health Specialty Clinics, University Hospital School The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA

    Louise R. Greenswag R.N., PH.D. (Adjunct Professor) (Adjunct Professor)

  2. University Hospital School, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA

    Randell C. Alexander M.D., PH.D.

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© 1988 The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association

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Alexander, R.C., Hanson, J.W. (1988). Overview. In: Greenswag, L.R., Alexander, R.C. (eds) Management of Prader-Willi Syndrome. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0316-9_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0316-9_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-0318-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-0316-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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