Pictures of patients with Progeria (Premature Aging)

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1. What is a Genetic Couselor?

Genetic Counselors are trained health professionals that help families understand genetic disorders. They give families information and support who have someone that is affected with a genetic disease. Genetic Counselors could be helpful assistants to families by referring the families to local services.

Genetic Counselors will work with families to see who is at risk, and if needed, they will request genetic testing. Genetic Counselors will also work with doctors, nurses, social workers, specialists, etc. to help the families make informed decisions.

The majority of counselors are certified today. Requirements include documentation of: a graduate degree in genetic counseling,  successful completion of both the general and specialty certification examination, and clinical experience. The job also requires a masters degree in genetic counseling.

Genetic Counselors need to be able to..
- communicate well with all different types of people
- give full attention to what is needed
- use logic and reason
- awareness of others feelings

2. How does a person inherit this genetic disorder? Is it dominant or recessive?

You can not inherit this disease. You can not inherit because it's only a mutation on the gene, but if you have the disease you are autosomal dominant for it.

3. If this disease is genetic--what are the possible genotypes of the parents?

Parents of a child with Progeria can have any normal genotypes. They can have normal genotypes and still have a child affected with the disease, because it isn't hereditarily passed down through offspring.

4. How prevalent is the disease in the population?

Progeria is a very rare disease, affecting about 1 in 4-8 million newborns. Statistics show that the disease affects both sexes equally. It also shows that the disease affects all different types of races. There are reports of children have the disease in different parts of the world.

5. What are the chances of a person with this disease passing the disease to their offspring?

It is highly unlikely for someone with Progeria to exceed the age of 13. Therefore, passing the disease to a child would be impossible because they would not be old enough to have a child.

6. How is the disease diagnosed?

A child with Progeria is diagnosed according to symptoms and signs they have such as skin change, slow growth, loss of hair, and distinctive appearance. It is confirmed through a genetic test.