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Review
. 2023 Mar 16;10(3):564.
doi: 10.3390/children10030564.

Prader-Willi Syndrome and Weight Gain Control: From Prevention to Surgery-A Narrative Review

Valeria Calcaterra  1   2 , Vittoria Carlotta Magenes  2 , Francesca Destro  3 , Paola Baldassarre  2 , Giustino Simone Silvestro  2 , Chiara Tricella  2 , Alessandro Visioli  2 , Elvira Verduci  2   4 , Gloria Pelizzo  3   5 , Gianvincenzo Zuccotti  2
Affiliations
Review

Prader-Willi Syndrome and Weight Gain Control: From Prevention to Surgery-A Narrative Review

Valeria Calcaterra et al. Children (Basel). .

Abstract

Severe obesity remains one of the most important symptoms of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), and controlling weight represents a crucial point in the therapeutical approach to the syndrome. We present an overview of different progressive patterns of growth that involve controlling weight in PWS. Mechanisms involved in the development of obesity and in preventive and therapeutic strategies to control weight gain are discussed. Early diagnosis, a controlled diet regimen, regular physical activity, follow-up by multidisciplinary teams, and hormonal treatment improved the management of excessive weight gain. In selected cases, a surgical approach can be also considered. Controlling weight in PWS remains a challenge for pediatricians. The importance of consulting different healthcare specialists, starting from the neonatal and pediatric age, is also considered as a crucial approach to controlling weight, as well as to limiting and preventing the onset of obesity and its complications.

Keywords: Prader–Willi syndrome; bariatric surgery; diet; exercise; hormonal therapy; weight gain.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PWS nutritional phases [8].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Approaches to weight gain control in PWS.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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