Essay On Progeria

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Progeria, or formally known as Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome, is a disease which causes early aging in children. It is non-hereditary and is an extremely rare genetic condition. Progeria has a reported incident of one in eight million newborns. Since 1886, there has only been an approximate of 130 youths that have been diagnosed with progeria. The patient’s average life expectancy is 13 years of age. However, some that are fortunate surpass this expectancy (Rathore). Progeria is in a group of rare genetic disorders, called laminopothies, which affects genes that encode proteins. Some diseases associated within this group are muscular dystrophy, lipodystrophy, leukodystrophy, diabetes and others. Malfunctioning of the arteries, or arteriosclerosis, is the leading cause of death in progeria.
There are plenty of symptoms identified with progeria. Children, at birth, appear normal with early integumentary symptoms, comparable to scleroderma. Within the first couple of years, the child’s growth rate demonstrates a noticable decrease. This results in the shortness of stature and extremely low weight. Other symptoms and effects of progeria are delayed or absent formation of teeth, observable veins, baldness, aged-looking and dried skin, and stiffness of joints.
Progeria is caused at random by a mutation which affects the nuclear membrane of the protein lamin A. LMNA is a gene that provides specific instructions in developing certain proteins. Two major proteins, found throughout most of the body’s cells, are encoded by this gene. They are prelamin A and prelamin C. The prelamin A protein has a farneysal group attached to its end which helps the protein to temporarily attach to the nuclear rim. In a normal cell, prelamin A is not a...

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... For instance, nitroglycerin relaxes muscle fibers in the blood vessels, which causes expansion and dilation. Physical therapy is also immensely crucial in helping maintain bones and muscles.
In conclusion, progeria is one of the world’s rarest disease that excessively accelerates the process of aging. Respiratory, cardiovascular and arthritic conditions are negatively affected. It is unfortunate that this life limiting disease takes children’s lives at a very young age. It is important that we help raise awareness for Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome in order to progress. Although progeria still requires much more research, there are precise advancements that are being made through research. Perhaps one day researchers will find a solution to the catastrophic disease of progeria and by finding this solution it may be possible to possess the secretes of aging.

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