Home > Motor development in children with Prader-Willi syndrome
Motor development in children with Prader-Willi syndrome
Newborns:
- Hypotonia may be present before birth, resulting in decreased fetal movements, abnormal fetal position at delivery, and an increased incidence of assisted delivery or cesarean section.
- Neonatal hypotonia is a nearly universal finding. Hypotonia is of central origin. Hypotonia may result in decreased movement and lethargy, decreased spontaneous arousals, weak cry, and poor reflexes, including a poor suck. Special feeding and arousal techniques may be necessary, including nasogastrointestinal feeding: see all Nutrition/Dietary services providers (46) in our database.
Infants and toddlers:
- Infants with PWS demonstrate hypotonia leading to a delay in the achievement of gross motor milestones.
- Sitting is usually around 12 months, walking at 24 months.
- Developmental skill attainment should be closely monitored and Early Intervention should begin as soon as possible: see all Early Intervention Programs services providers (36) in our database.
Preschool and childhood:
- Overeating and obesity become a problem in the preschool years.
- Low muscle tone often improves.
- Children with PWS continue to have problems with strength, coordination, balance, and motor planning, and they have delays in activities such as jumping, climbing, and catching.
- Fine motor skills are also delayed, with difficulties in activities such as drawing and writing.
- Learning and behavior problems are often compounded by motor problems.
- Interventions with growth hormone therapy and rehabilitation techniques such as orthotics and therapies help maximize function: see all Physical Therapy services providers (31) in our database.
Adolescence and adulthood:
- Motor problems continue.
- Orthopedic complications, particularly scoliosis, are often observed: see all Pediatric Orthopedics services providers (2) in our database. [Kroonen: 2006]
- In addition to therapies, adaptive and modified physical education programs are recommended to maintain strength, muscle tone, and function: see all Adaptive Recreation services providers (43) in our database.
Resources
Services
Early Intervention Programs
See all Early Intervention Programs services providers (36) in our database.
For other services related to this condition, browse our Services categories or search our database.
Authors
| Author: | Mary Riske RN, MS, 9/2008 |
| Reviewing Author: | Kyna Byerly MS, CGC, 8/2008 |
| Content Last Updated: | 6/2011 |
Funding/Support
This page was developed in partnership with the Heartland Regional Genetics and Newborn Screening Collaborative and was funded in part by a Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) cooperative agreement (U22MC03962). We appreciate the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) for their outstanding support of individuals with PWS and their families and for the information they provide on their website – www.pwsausa.org – to which we have provided several links within the Diagnosis Module.Page Bibliography
Kroonen LT, Herman M, Pizzutillo PD, Macewen GD.
Prader-Willi Syndrome: clinical concerns for the orthopaedic surgeon.
J Pediatr Orthop.
2006;26(5):673-9.
PubMed abstract