What+the+Heck+is+Progeria??

Progeria is a genetic disease that gives the apperance of accelerated aging in children. There are different forms of progeria, but the most common is Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome which was discovered in 1886 by Dr. Jonathan Hutchinson and Dr. Hastings Gilford.

This disease is caused by a mutation in the LMNA gene. This gene produces the Lamin-A protein which helps to hold the nucleus of the cell together. The mutation in this gene causes the nucleus to be unstable which may contribute to the premature aging.

Children affected by progeria are born looking like a normal baby. As they begin to age and develop (around the age of 18-24 months) the child begins to show signs of accelerated aging. Similar to Down' Symdrome, children affected by progeria have very similar physical or facial features.