Prader-Willi Syndrome: an under-recognized cause of hypotonia?

The “floppy infant” is a well-recognized entity characterized by general­ized hypotonia presenting at birth or in early life. Hypotonia represents a diagnostic challenge because it may be the presentation sign of numerous diseases, as central or peripheral nervous system abnormalities, myopathies, g...

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Main Authors: Marlene Rodrigues, Miguel Costa, Joana Teixeira, Carla Sá, Liliana Pinheiro, Eduarda Abreu, Albina Silva, Nicole Silva, Matos Marques, Miguel Rocha, Almerinda Pereira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hygeia Press di Corridori Marinella 2017-12-01
Series:Journal of Pediatric and Neonatal Individualized Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.jpnim.com/index.php/jpnim/article/view/480
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author Marlene Rodrigues
Miguel Costa
Joana Teixeira
Carla Sá
Liliana Pinheiro
Eduarda Abreu
Albina Silva
Nicole Silva
Matos Marques
Miguel Rocha
Almerinda Pereira
author_facet Marlene Rodrigues
Miguel Costa
Joana Teixeira
Carla Sá
Liliana Pinheiro
Eduarda Abreu
Albina Silva
Nicole Silva
Matos Marques
Miguel Rocha
Almerinda Pereira
author_sort Marlene Rodrigues
collection DOAJ
description The “floppy infant” is a well-recognized entity characterized by general­ized hypotonia presenting at birth or in early life. Hypotonia represents a diagnostic challenge because it may be the presentation sign of numerous diseases, as central or peripheral nervous system abnormalities, myopathies, genetic disorders, endocrinopathies, metabolic diseases and acute/chronic illness. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that results from an abnormality in chromosome 15. Diagnosis is often delayed because clinical findings are relatively nonspecific and the dysmorphism is often subtle. We describe three term male newborns admitted in the first day of life for hypotonia and feeding difficulties. Pregnancy and familiar history were unremarkable. Clinical examination revealed marked global hypotonia, few active movements, weak cry, poor suck reflex, micrognathia, cryptorchidism, facial dysmorphic features: almond-shaped eyes with short palpebral fissures, narrow bifrontal diameter and short neck. Laboratory evaluations were normal. Brain ultrasound and magnetic resonance had no alterations. Cardiac and metabolic evaluations were irrelevant. PWS was suspected and genetic evaluation was performed. The methylation analysis specific for PWS confirmed the diagnosis. In the three cases it was observed development milestones delay, with progressive improvement after multidisciplinary approach. At last follow-up visit, all of them walk alone, explore the surrounding environment, understand simple language and say some words. These reports reinforce the idea that PWS should be considered in the presence of newborn hypotonia, and feeding difficulties, even in absence of typical facial features. Detecting PWS at neonatal age is important because it allows early intervention and better management of such infants.
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spelling doaj.art-4efc1acee6614794bd39675bb72459be2022-12-21T23:45:38ZengHygeia Press di Corridori MarinellaJournal of Pediatric and Neonatal Individualized Medicine2281-06922017-12-0171e070107e07010710.7363/070107404Prader-Willi Syndrome: an under-recognized cause of hypotonia?Marlene Rodrigues0Miguel Costa1Joana Teixeira2Carla Sá3Liliana Pinheiro4Eduarda Abreu5Albina Silva6Nicole Silva7Matos Marques8Miguel Rocha9Almerinda Pereira10Pediatrics Department, Hospital de Braga, Braga, PortugalNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department, Braga Hospital, Braga, PortugalPediatrics Department, Hospital de Braga, Braga, PortugalNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department, Braga Hospital, Braga, PortugalNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department, Braga Hospital, Braga, PortugalNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department, Braga Hospital, Braga, PortugalNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department, Braga Hospital, Braga, PortugalNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department, Braga Hospital, Braga, PortugalNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department, Braga Hospital, Braga, PortugalGenetic Consultation, Genetic Department, Braga Hospital, Braga, PortugalNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department, Braga Hospital, Braga, PortugalThe “floppy infant” is a well-recognized entity characterized by general­ized hypotonia presenting at birth or in early life. Hypotonia represents a diagnostic challenge because it may be the presentation sign of numerous diseases, as central or peripheral nervous system abnormalities, myopathies, genetic disorders, endocrinopathies, metabolic diseases and acute/chronic illness. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that results from an abnormality in chromosome 15. Diagnosis is often delayed because clinical findings are relatively nonspecific and the dysmorphism is often subtle. We describe three term male newborns admitted in the first day of life for hypotonia and feeding difficulties. Pregnancy and familiar history were unremarkable. Clinical examination revealed marked global hypotonia, few active movements, weak cry, poor suck reflex, micrognathia, cryptorchidism, facial dysmorphic features: almond-shaped eyes with short palpebral fissures, narrow bifrontal diameter and short neck. Laboratory evaluations were normal. Brain ultrasound and magnetic resonance had no alterations. Cardiac and metabolic evaluations were irrelevant. PWS was suspected and genetic evaluation was performed. The methylation analysis specific for PWS confirmed the diagnosis. In the three cases it was observed development milestones delay, with progressive improvement after multidisciplinary approach. At last follow-up visit, all of them walk alone, explore the surrounding environment, understand simple language and say some words. These reports reinforce the idea that PWS should be considered in the presence of newborn hypotonia, and feeding difficulties, even in absence of typical facial features. Detecting PWS at neonatal age is important because it allows early intervention and better management of such infants.https://www.jpnim.com/index.php/jpnim/article/view/480cryptorchidismfacial dysmorphismsfeeding difficultiesgenetic disorderneonatal hypotoniaprader-willi syndrome
spellingShingle Marlene Rodrigues
Miguel Costa
Joana Teixeira
Carla Sá
Liliana Pinheiro
Eduarda Abreu
Albina Silva
Nicole Silva
Matos Marques
Miguel Rocha
Almerinda Pereira
Prader-Willi Syndrome: an under-recognized cause of hypotonia?
Journal of Pediatric and Neonatal Individualized Medicine
cryptorchidism
facial dysmorphisms
feeding difficulties
genetic disorder
neonatal hypotonia
prader-willi syndrome
title Prader-Willi Syndrome: an under-recognized cause of hypotonia?
title_full Prader-Willi Syndrome: an under-recognized cause of hypotonia?
title_fullStr Prader-Willi Syndrome: an under-recognized cause of hypotonia?
title_full_unstemmed Prader-Willi Syndrome: an under-recognized cause of hypotonia?
title_short Prader-Willi Syndrome: an under-recognized cause of hypotonia?
title_sort prader willi syndrome an under recognized cause of hypotonia
topic cryptorchidism
facial dysmorphisms
feeding difficulties
genetic disorder
neonatal hypotonia
prader-willi syndrome
url https://www.jpnim.com/index.php/jpnim/article/view/480
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