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Prader-Willi Syndrome: Selected Research and Management Issues investigates the most recent developments in the diagnosis and management of individuals with the syndrome. This volume is not intended as a comprehensive review, but as a source of new, original research on this little understood syndrome. Alternative methods of identification and treatment are considered, and issues related to the nonmedical characteristics are explored.

Management of Prader-Willi Syndrome is the first book to provide a comprehensive source of knowledge about Prader-Willi Syndrome and to offer common-sense guidelines for management. It consists of contributions from professionals in many health and allied disciplines who have worked with this special population. The book focuses on clinical, social, familial, and community issues related to care. It is directed to health, education, and other specialists in academic, clinical, and community settings. Management of Prader-Willi Syndrome describes strategies for management which are appropriate to an interdisciplinary approach.

A Karger'Publishing Highlights 1890–2015'title Over the past years, research into the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and its treatment options has progressed enormously and new insights have greatly improved the quality of life of those affected. For many years, Urs Eiholzer has been engaged in the care of children with PWS and their families. He has published a great number of seminal scientific articles and contributions and supports a comprehensive, integrated treatment approach, taking into account both the biological and the psychological aspects of the syndrome. This easily understandable book is specifically suited for non-professionals and presents the clinical picture of the syndrome, its genetic cause, state-of-the-art research results and treatment options as used in the author's out-patient clinic. The text is illustrated with graphics and complemented by an abundance of pictures. This publication addresses not only the family members of the affected children, but also those who have contact with them - from the neighbor to the pediatrician.

Almost fifty years ago, in 1956, three researchers of the University of Zurich, Andrea Prader, Alexis Labhart and Heinrich Willi, first described what is now called the Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). The study and the therapy of this syndrome have progressed so rapidly in the past years that the decision was made to share recent advances with the scientific community and to address topics of future research at an international meeting. The results of this meeting are presented in this book. PWS results from a paternally derived deletion or an imprinting defect on chromosome 15. During their first two years of life patients with PWS suffer from muscle weakness, feeding problems and developmental delay. From the age of two years onwards they develop an almost insatiable appetite and suffer from obesity, short stature, hypogonadism and behavior problems. As it is becoming increasingly obvious that PWS is a multisystemic disorder, improving the quality of life of patients and their families requires broad professional support. While growth hormone therapy influences growth and body composition, many other problems such as insufficient satiation, hypoactivity, behavioral difficulties, speech problems and mental retardation remain to be addressed. Parents need psychological support in their daily battle against the eating disorder and the behavioral problems of their child. A comprehensive team approach will yield the best results for both patients and their parents. PWS research may also contribute to basic medical research by providing new insights into the metabolism of obese patients, whose obesity is caused by factors other than PWS. In this way, PWS may be used as a model for obesity.