About the Condition

About 400 people in the world are estimated to have Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome - a single-base change in the gene for a protein called lamin A that helps support the membrane forming the nucleus in cells. The resulting abnormal protein progerin disrupts the nuclear membrane and is toxic to many cells. Toddlers soon become bald and have stunted growth, body fat loss, stiff joints, wrinkled skin, osteoporosis, and atherosclerosis. People with progeria die around the age 14 from a heart attack or stroke.