Bilford Progeria Essay

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Edgren 1

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome is a rare, genetic condition that causes rapid aging in infants, children, and teens (Webster’s Medical Dictionary Par. 1). Although there is a low chance of having a child born with this type of Progeria, approximately one in four million to eight million (Progeria 101 Par. 3), it has sad consequences. Children with Progeria rarely live past the young age of thirteen due to common symptoms of age related diseases, such as heart failure (Chara Par. 2). Progeria is frustrating for parents with children that have HGPS, because there is no current cure. However, if scientists increase public awareness of Progeria, a permanent treatment can be found.

Progeria was first described by Doctor Jonathan Hutchinson in 1886, then again by Doctor Hastings Gilford in 1897 (Progeria 101 Par. 1). There are two types of Progeria: Hutchinson - Gilford Progeria Syndrome, and Werner’s syndrome (Progeria 101 Par. 2). Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome is considered the classic type (Webster’s Medical Dictionary Par. 1), which is diagnosed around the age of six-seven months (Chara Par. 1), and Werner’s Syndrome, which is diagnosed in young adulthood (Chara Par. 1). Werner’s Syndrome is sometimes called Progeria of the adult (Webster’s Medical Dictionary Par. 1), and has a lifespan into the forty’s and fifty’s (Progeria 101 Par. 2). There are approximately 200-250 people living with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome at one time, (Progeria 101 Par. 3) making it incredibly rare and unique. It’s rarity also makes it incredibly difficult to solve other aspects of Progeria, such as its causes...

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...ey may be weaker than those who are unaffected, or look different. Still, they are the same as anyone else, they just have unique characteristics.

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria is a serious disease that takes children’s lives too early for their ages. Although it is hard to diagnose due to its being a genetic mutation that is not

Edgren 5 hereditary, scientists should focus their efforts on finding a cure. A cure for this disease could mean cures for symptoms that go along with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria, such as heart diseases and high blood pressure (The Science Behind Progeria Par. 2). Although it is fairly rare (Progeria 101 Par. 3), Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome is still worth researching and finding a cure for because it can stop the early deaths of kids with it that don’t get as much of a chance in life as others who do not have Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria.