Are there different forms of progeria

Progeria signs include growth failure, loss of body fat and hair, aged-looking skin, stiffness of joints, hip dislocation, generalized atherosclerosis, cardiovascular heart disease and stroke. The children have a remarkably similar appearance, despite differing ethnic backgrounds. Children with Progeria die of atherosclerosis heart disease at an average age of fourteen years.

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube. About Progeria. Progeria is usually detected in infancy or early childhood, often at regular checkups, when a baby first shows the characteristic signs of premature aging. If you notice changes in your child that could be signs and symptoms of progeria, or you have any concerns about your child's growth or development, make an appointment with your child's doctor. A single gene mutation is responsible for progeria.

The gene, known as lamin A LMNA , makes a protein necessary for holding the center nucleus of a cell together. When this gene has a defect mutation , an abnormal form of the lamin A protein called progerin is produced and makes cells unstable.

This appears to lead to progeria's aging process. Unlike many genetic mutations, progeria is rarely passed down in families. The gene mutation is a rare, chance occurrence in the majority of cases. There are other progeroid syndromes that do run in families. These inherited syndromes cause rapid aging and a shortened life span:. There are no known factors, such as lifestyle or environmental issues, which increase the risk of having progeria or of giving birth to a child with progeria. Progeria is extremely rare.

For parents who have had one child with progeria, the chances of having a second child with progeria are about 2 to 3 percent. Children with progeria usually develop severe hardening of the arteries atherosclerosis. This is a condition in which the walls of the arteries — blood vessels that carry nutrients and oxygen from the heart to the rest of the body — stiffen and thicken, often restricting blood flow.

Other health problems frequently associated with aging — such as arthritis, cataracts and increased cancer risk — typically do not develop as part of the course of progeria. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. The adult version of progeria syndrome is Werner syndrome. The symptoms of Werner syndrome normally occur in teenagers. People with this condition may live into their 40s or 50s. If your child has a type of progeria, their symptoms will likely begin to appear before or around their first birthday.

Progeria is caused by a genetic mutation. The mutation occurs in the LMNA gene. This gene is responsible for producing a protein that helps maintain the structural integrity of the nucleus in cells.

This leads to rapid aging. Ongoing research has identified some promising drug options. Some children with progeria receive treatment for complications from the disease, such as hardened arteries. The average lifespan for people with progeria is 13 years, although some people live into their 20s.

Progeria is a fatal syndrome. People with progeria are at heightened risk of many health conditions.