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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are many physical features that will distinct a patient with Progeria from a regular child.
Physical Symptoms:
- growth failure during the first year of life
- teeth: delayed or absent formation
- dry, scaly, thin skin
- small jaw
- baldness
- narrow & wrinkled face
- loss of eyebrows & eyelashes
- large head
The average life expectancy for someone with progeria is around 13 years old. Few patients live to experience their teenage years. Heart problems and strokes are the usual cause of death.
Life is different for every child affected with Progeria, but almost all children live life beginning everyday filled with joy. Almost all of the children that are affected are just as bright and happy as regular children. Since they are still able to play sports and do normal activities, the quality of life is the same as a regular child.
Children with progeria can do just as much as regular children, despite their appearance. They are able to play sports, and do other activities. The only limitation that could possibly hold them back is that their joints can sometimes be stiff.
Below are a few support groups for families dealing with Progeria. Support groups are important for some families to cope with children with the disease.
As of right now, there are no cures for the disease. Some researchers have high hopes for future treatments, and are working as hard as they can to find one. When researchers found the progeria genes, it opened doors for possibly finding a cure for the disease.
"Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome - Genetics Home Reference." Genetics Home Reference - Your Guide to Understanding Genetic Conditions. Web. 2 Mar. 2011. <http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/hutchinson-gilford-progeria-syndrome>.
Online, Credit Card. Progeria Research Foundation | Home. Web. 28 Feb. 2011. <http://www.progeriaresearch.org>.
"Progeria - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of Progeria - NY Times Health Information." Health News - The New York Times. Web. 4 Mar. 2011. <http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/progeria/overview/html>.
VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE. Web. 28 Feb. 2011. <http://www.progeriaeng.centerall.com/>.
WikiAnswers - The Q&A Wiki. Web. 4 Mar. 2011. <http://wiki.answers.com>.
"Progeria." Manbir Online ... for Health & Fitness. Web. 9 Mar. 2011. <http://www.manbir-online.com/diseases/progeria.htm>.
"Progeria:Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) : American Pregnancy Association." Promoting Pregnancy Wellness : American Pregnancy Association. Web. 13 Mar. 2011. <http://www.americanpregnancy.org/birthdefects/progeria.htm>.
Hayleys Progeria Page. Web. 13 Mar. 2011. <http://hayleyspage.com/progeria.htm>.
