Table of Contents
What does Werner syndrome look like?
A rare, inherited disorder marked by rapid aging that begins in early adolescence or young adulthood and an increased risk of cancer. Signs and symptoms include shorter-than-average height, thinning and graying hair, skin changes, thin arms and legs, voice changes, and unusual facial features.
What age does Werner syndrome start?
This form of diabetes usually develops in normal individuals of approximately 50 to 60 years. However, in those with Werner syndrome, the condition may become apparent by about age 35.
Do I have Werner’s syndrome?
The most common symptom of the six is premature graying and loss of hair. This is also generally the earliest observed symptom, with hair loss occurring first on the scalp and the eyebrows. Werner syndrome patients often have skin that appears shiny and tight, and may also be thin or hardened.
Are there treatments for Werner’s syndrome?
There is no cure for WS and treatment involves a multidisciplinary team. Cataracts can be treated with surgery. Regular physical examinations are needed to check for skin ulcers, diabetes, malignancies or cardiovascular disease. Any malignancies should be treated with surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation.
How does Werner syndrome happen?
Inheritance. Werner syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern , which means both copies of the WRN gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with Werner syndrome each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.
How many people are affected by Werner’s syndrome?
Werner syndrome is considered to be very rare. It is estimated that 1 in 200,000 people in the United States may have Werner syndrome. Werner syndrome is somewhat more common in Japan and Sardinia in Italy, where it is estimated that 1 in 30,000 people may have the condition.
How long do people live with Werner syndrome?
The mean survival for patients with Werner syndrome (WS) is 46 years. Death usually occurs when patients are aged 30-50 years because of atherosclerosis or malignant tumors. Adroit medical management may enhance life expectancy; one patient was described who survived until dying of acute heart failure at age 68 years.
How is Werner’s syndrome caused?
Werner syndrome is caused by genetic changes in the WRN gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. This condition is diagnosed based on the symptoms and genetic testing.
What are the effects of Werner syndrome?
In addition, people with Werner syndrome have an increased risk of developing cancer, especially thyroid and skin cancers. Heart attack and cancer are the most common causes of death. Werner syndrome is caused by genetic changes in the WRN gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.
How does Werner syndrome occur?
Werner syndrome follows an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, which means that a mutation must be present in both copies of the gene for a person to be affected. This means that both parents must pass on a gene mutation for a child to be affected.