Early-onset Morbid Obesity (EMO) Recruitment through the PWS-EMO Rare
Disease Natural History Study funded by NICHD
Background: Childhood obesity has become a health problem of
epidemic proportions. The prevalence of obesity has been increasing
significantly over the last three decades in every age group. However,
the age group with the smallest increase are those children less than 4
years of age. This finding suggests that metabolic or genetic factors
play a greater role than the environment in the development of obesity
in young children. Many children who become obese before the age of 4
years are therefore referred to either genetics or endocrinology to
evaluate for possible identifiable etiologies of their obesity. Very
little is known about the etiology of early childhood obesity. A few
genes have been described which can cause early childhood obesity, but
the vast majority of patients are undiagnosed at this point.
Rationale: The diagnosis of PWS is often entertained in
children who develop obesity early in life. We refer to individuals who
develop obesity before the age of 4 years as the Early-onset Morbid
Obesity (EMO) population. Many of the EMO children have similarities to
PWS, including developmental delay, learning problems, and behavioral
problems. However, several of the EMO children also have distinct
differences from PWS, including tall stature, a large head
circumference, lack of hypotonia, and lack of neonatal
failure-to-thrive.
Specific Aim: To determine the natural history of Early-onset
Morbid Obesity (EMO)/”Prader-Willi Like” patients with respect to birth
history, medical problems, age of onset of obesity, appetite, learning
difficulties, psychiatric/behavioral problems and physical features.
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria: The EMO group will be selected
solely based on a documented medical chart history of their weight
having exceeded 150% of Ideal Body Weight (IBW) or a Body Mass Index
(BMI) of greater than the 97% before 4 years of age. Participants will
be excluded from this part of the study if they have a chromosomal
aneuploidy (i.e., an extra or missing whole chromosome) or Fragile X as
the cause of their obesity. All EMO patients will have had a chromosomal
(or a chromosomal microarray) analysis, DNA methylation testing for PWS,
MC4R mutation analysis and a serum leptin prior to entry to the study.
Study Recruitment: Information about the participating research
centers can be found at the following link:
http://rarediseasesnetwork.epi.usf.edu/arpwsc/studies/pw-5202.htm
edited:
04/11/2012 | 