How old is the oldest child with progeria

Progeria is caused by a genetic mutation. The mutation occurs in the LMNA gene. This gene is responsible for producing a protein that helps maintain the structural integrity of the nucleus in cells. This leads to rapid aging. Ongoing research has identified some promising drug options. Some children with progeria receive treatment for complications from the disease, such as hardened arteries. The average lifespan for people with progeria is 13 years, although some people live into their 20s.

Progeria is a fatal syndrome. People with progeria are at heightened risk of many health conditions. For example, they tend to dislocate their hips easily.

Most of them eventually experience heart disorders and stroke. Most affected children eventually die from heart disease.

Learn about causes and treatment. Tiffany, who is divorced and owns her own business, told Metro. I saw how my brother struggled with progeria and how quickly things changed with him, so I live with a positive mindset. I think it might be because I take good care of myself. There are now only people in the world living with progeria, scattered across 53 countries. Tiffany is not only the oldest living person with the condition, she is thought to be the oldest survivor in history.

I also think you are what you eat, so I eat healthily and treat my body well. I am amazed I am still here so I am treating my life like my playground. Tiffany was diagnosed with progeria when she was in her late twenties, having lived with the condition completely unaware for almost half of her life. She and her brother, Chad, received their diagnosis at the same time around 15 years ago and learned their condition was inherited from their mother. Progeria is caused by a mutation gene that children inherit from their parents and leads to the increased acceleration of the aging process.

Children who are born with it usually display symptoms from the age of two and rarely live past the age of Chad, who died eight years ago, and Tiffany are an almost unheard of case of siblings with progeria and are also unique in the fact that they are the oldest and second oldest cases ever recorded.

It is believed one progeria sufferer lived to the age of 27 in the late s. In a recent interview with The New Haven Register, Miss Casey said she felt an obligation to speak out for younger progeria victims. I think I have to channel the notoriety onto the cause, and off of myself.

Miss Casey was executive director of the Milford Independent Disabled Persons - a volunteer position - and worked in recent years for the rights of disabled people and for research and aid for progeria victims.

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