Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a non-inherited genetic disorder that occurs in approximately one out of every 15,000 births. PWS affects males and females with equal frequency and affects all races and ethnicities. It is caused by a group of inactive genes on the 15th chromosome. PWS is a spectrum disorder and symptoms vary in severity and occurrence among individuals.
Symptoms of PWS are believed to be caused by dysfunctions of a portion of the brain called the Hypothalamus. The Hypothalamus is a small Endocrine Organ at the base of the brain that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including hunger and satiety, temperature and pain regulation, fluid balance, puberty, emotions, small hands and feet, Scoliosis, sleep disturbances with excessive daytime sleepiness, and fertility. Behavior difficulties may include obsessive-compulsive symptoms, picking at the skin, and controlling emotions.