Voice-over:
Childhood obesity is a growing problem. But for a small number of children who harbor a faulty
gene, it’s not a matter of simple self-control: these kids are compelled to overeat to the point
parents have to padlock the refrigerator. Now new research suggests the condition, called
Prader-Willi syndrome, could shed light on how to help millions of other kids who battle
obesity. Sleep disorders are often a serious complication for Prader-Willi patients and other
obese children. So University of Florida researchers performed sleep studies on twenty-five
children with the syndrome who were receiving growth hormone to improve their symptoms.
The research revealed that nearly a third of the patients showed worsened sleep disturbance shortly after going on the therapy. U-F physicians found that growth hormone is safe overall for these overweight kids, but they had to be closely monitored during their first weeks on the treatment. Their condition eventually improved as the hormone kicked in, improving muscle tone in the throat.
Dr. Jennifer Miller / UF pediatric endocrinologist
“Fat tissue, when you lay on your back to sleep, can push down on the neck, thus closing up the airway and causing obstructive sleep apnea---so signs and symptoms that parents need to be aware of that could indicate that their child has sleep apnea include excessive daytime
sleepiness, snoring and pauses in breathing during sleep that last greater than 10 seconds.”
Voice-over:
Growth hormone therapy was approved in 2000 for use in Prader-Willi patients and contributes to lowered body mass index and improved muscle tone. Doctors say children who don’t have Prader-Willi but are obese and experience excessive sleepiness during the day could also suffer from apnea and might benefit from an overnight, clinical sleep study. Additional studies of children with Prader-Willi could also help doctors learn more about childhood obesity in general.
Dr. Jennifer Miller / UF pediatric endocrinologist
“Knowing the genetic model of Prader-Willi syndrome will allow us to sort of tease out the genetic causes or contributors to overall obesity within the society and especially obesity that happens early in life.”
Voice-over:
At the University of Florida Health Science Center, I’m Mike Garrison
