Genetic Causes of Severe Obesity

Prader-Willi syndrome

Clinical presentation

  • At birth - very floppy, ability to suck weak or absent, tube
    feeding common
  • Childhood - hyperphagia (food seeking and lack of satiety) and reduced energy requirements due to low muscle tone
  • Learning difficulties
  • Hypogonadism
  • Short stature

Barget-Biedl syndrome

Clinical presentation

  • Visual impairment, renal abnormalities, polydactyly,
    learning difficulties, hypogonadism, obesity
  • Hyperphagia