News

The duration of low blood oxygen levels during sleep may vary among people with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) depending on their genetic subtype, a small study in Brazil suggests. Researchers found that children and young adults with PWS caused by a genetic deletion — the most common PWS cause —…

Nearly 400 civic, business, and philanthropic leaders in South Florida gathered this week for a second annual event aimed at raising funds to support people with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and other developmental disorders, particularly as they “transition into adulthood.” The fundraising gala was hosted by the Supreme Twins…

Five years of growth hormone (GH) treatment allows children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) who are experiencing failure to thrive at the start of treatment to develop similar height-adjusted lean body mass, or non-fat tissue, to those without failure to thrive at GH initiation. That’s according to a study in…

Starting growth hormone therapy as early as possible may help children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) develop stronger thinking and language skills, according to a study from Taiwan. “In addition to improved motor development, on the basis of previous studies, our study demonstrated that [growth hormone therapy] initiation at 3…

Children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) who experience abnormally slow or shallow breathing during sleep may face an increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, according to a U.S. study. The findings suggest that sleep-related hypoventilation — a condition in which breathing is inadequate to remove carbon dioxide — is…

Skin picking among people with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) varies widely but is not driven by general behavioral problems, sensory processing difficulties, or genetic subtypes, a study in Japan suggests. The findings indicate that skin picking in PWS may be an independent neurobehavioral feature rather than a byproduct of overall…

A trio of advocacy groups have come together to help families understand safety risks associated with Vykat XR (diazoxide choline), an oral treatment approved to ease hyperphagia, or excessive hunger, in people with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). In light of new safety data reported since Vykat XR became commercially…

A simple ultrasound measurement of the calf muscle can help identify low muscle mass in people with Prader-Willi syndrome, offering a potential alternative to radiation-based scans, a study in Taiwan suggests. Among 48 people with the genetic condition, all of whom had obesity, researchers found that more than half…

Children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) have different combinations of cognitive and emotional difficulties, and while families experience similar caregiving burden regardless of their child’s profile, understanding these differences may help provide more personalized support for their behavior and daily functioning, according to a study. “This study has provided a…

People with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) that’s caused by a certain type of genetic mutation may experience abnormalities in how the brain processes information that make them more vulnerable to psychosis — which is more common among PWS patients than in the general population. That’s according to a new study…