Early Screening and Risk Factors of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Large Cohort of Chinese Patients With Prader-Willi Syndrome

Previous studies regarding the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) have implicated heterogenous findings. Additionally, the early screening of ASD high-risk population for ASD and identifying ASD risk factors in PWS patients have not been explored. This study included 218 Chinese PWS patients aged 3 months to 18 years old. 78% of subjects were identified as high risk for ASD by ASQ-3 Communication domain score for those younger than 3 years of age and 84% of subjects were classified as high risk for ASD by the GARS-3 for those aged 3 years and older. Among PWS clinical measurements, under-height (P = 0.0186), overweight (P = 0.0248), and obstructive sleep apnea (P = 0.0259) were each significantly correlated with ASD risk. These risk factors and their internal relationship with ASD or ASD traits warrant further studies.

Management of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) in adults - what an endocrinologist needs to know. Recommendations of the Polish Society of Endocrinology and the Polish Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder characterised by a set of phenotypic traits, which include infantile hypotonia, short stature, and morbid obesity. Over the last 12 years, visible progress has been made in medical care management of PWS patients in Poland. Increasing awareness of the disorder in neonatal and paediatric care has led to early identification of the condition in neonates, followed by the institution of an appropriate dietary regime, introduction of physiotherapy, and early-onset recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment. Growth hormone (GH) therapy in Poland is conducted within the nationwide framework of the Therapeutic Programme: "Treatment of Prader-Willi Syndrome". The therapeutic interventions initiated in the paediatric centres need to be continued in multidisciplinary adult care settings. The main aim of PWS clinical management in adulthood is prevention of obesity and its comor-bidities, treatment of hormonal disorders, mental health stabilisation, nutritional guidance, as well as on-going physiotherapy. Integrated multidisciplinary therapeutic intervention is necessary if patients with such a complex genetic condition as PWS are to not only achieve an average life expectancy but also to enjoy higher quality of life.