Can a cure be found???

There is possibility that a cure for Progeria can be found. The Progeria Research Foundation is searching for a cure and so is The University of Maryland. Research in these fields will hopefully lead to a cure

Getting Involved!

Some organizations that help family's with Progeria are:

1. http://www.progeriaresearch.org/get_involved.html The Progeria Research Foundation
2. http://www.sunshinefoundation.org/ The Sunshine Foundation

Both these foundations support family's whose children have Progeria

Limitations of a Person with Progeria

A child with Progeria does not have many limitations other than his stiff joints. They could live their life like any child.

The Everyday Life of a Person with Progeria

People with Progeria take life one day at a time. This means they live each day to its fullest and try to enjoy every minute they have. They have the spirit of a kid there age, but go each day as though they were 70 or 80. They have trouble walking and have very stiff joints which make lots of day to day activity's harder.

How can Progeria be Treated?

Unfortunately there is currently no cure for Progeria:(
There is extensive research being done on the subject at this time

Life Expectancy of Someone with Progeria

The Average life span of a person with Progeria is approximately 13 years

Symptoms of Progeria

Some of the symptoms of Progeria include:

• growth failure


• loss of body fat and hair


• aged-looking skin


• stiffness of joints


• hip dislocation


• generalized atherosclerosis


• cardiovascular (heart) disease and stroke.
  

How is Progeria Diagnosed?

Baby's with Progeria appear normal until 18 months of age when the baby is not growing and it is evident something is wrong. Then genetic testing can prove whether a baby has Progeria or not.

Chances of a person with this disease passing the disease to their offspring?

People with Progeria do not survive long enough to have children and cannot produce sex hormones, therefore making the disease unable to be passed along

Genotypes of Progeria

Possible genotypes are heterozygus dominate or homozygus dominate

How Prevalent is Progeria in the World?

One in eight million (approx.) children are affected by Progeria :(

How does a person inherit Progeria? Is it dominant or recessive? Is it genetic or chromosomal?

In most cases Progeria is caused by mutations or genetic changes that occur for unknown reasons. Progeria is autosomal dominate disease that is genetic and incurable and unpreventable.

Bibliography

Sources I used to create my blog:

1. Manbir, Manny. "Progeria". Manbir Online. 2/14/09 . <http://www.manbir-online.com/diseases/progeria.htm>.
2. Carlen, Altman. "The Lighter Side of Progeria". Blog. 2/14/09 http://carlenaltman.blogspot.com/2007/07/lighter-side-of-progeria.html.
3. American Pregnancy Foundation, "Progeria". American Pregnancy Foundation. 2/14/09 http://www.americanpregnancy.org/birthdefects/progeria.htm.
4. Marcus, Dinartigo. "Verdades Amarges". Blog.com. 3/08/09 http://elmundoaldia.blog.com.es/2008/06/30/cura-para-la-vejez-prematura-4385792/.
5. Michiel, Vandeweert. "Progeria Information". CenterAll. 3/08/09 http://www.progeriaeng.centerall.com/custom1.php.
6. Progeria Research Foundation, "For School Reports". The Progeria Research Foundation. 3/08/09 http://www.progeriaresearch.org/faq.html.

All Picture Links are accessible by clicking on them

1. What is a Genetic Counselor?

Genetic counselors are professionals in health with specialized graduate degrees and experience in the areas of genetics and counseling. They come from variety of fields including: biology, genetics, nursing, psychology, public health, and social work. Counselors work as a team providing information and support to family's with genetics diseases. They help families at risk, interpret information about the disorder, analyze patterns of the disease in ones family and their risk of recurrence. Some also work on researching the diseases they help with.