Males and females are equally affected and so far PWS has been seen in all countries and all races. The child is weak and floppy from birth and often needs tube feeding in the first month. The second stage starts after age 1-3 years when an abnormal interest in food and eating is seen. This leads to the onset of obesity from early age, if management structures are not put into place. Most persons with PWS are mildly mentally retarded, although some variation is seen.
Motor development is delayed.
Hypogonadism and low adult height are also part of the syndrome. The lack of normal satiety is due to an abnormality in the satiety center in the brain and until now no medication has been found to treat this problem. Because it is essential that food intake is controlled, people with PWS are functionally disabled and will most often require 24 hour care, particularly when the IQ level is below average. Not so many years ago a baby born with PWS would have had very little chance of survival, as the equipment and procedures available in special care units were not so advanced as nowadays. Food management has to be maintained for life and this is something the PWS persons themselves are not capable of doing.