Obesity-related syndromes in children occur among other signs and symptoms that characterize particular abnormalities. Genetic diseases and hormonal disorders may increase your child's likelihood of developing obesity. Your doctor may identify congenital problems that may lead to weight gain and obesity, if your child possesses these traits at birth. Older children may develop conditions that cause or contribute to obesity, in addition to other symptoms.
Prader-Willi Syndrome
Children with Prader-Willi syndrome have poor muscle tone, low sex-hormone levels and experience constant hunger. Male children with this syndrome may have undescended testicles. Children with Prader-Willi syndrome may experience weight gain that leads to or contributes to obesity. Poor motor skills, short stature and mild retardation and learning disabilities may develop as a child ages with this syndrome. A child with this syndrome has a brain abnormality that prevents his ability to feel full, which leads to a constant and uncontrollable urge to eat.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when a child's thyroid glad does not produce enough hormones. Children with hypothyroidism may have congenital birth defects. Congenital hypothyroidsm usually results from failure of the thyroid gland to develop property. Children with hypothyroidism may have a puffy face and swollen tongue, in addition to low muscle tone and cold extremities. These children may be overweight and have increased birth weight despite poor eating habits. A child with this condition may lack energy, which contributes to a sedentary lifestyle that may lead to obesity.
Turner Syndrome
Your little girl has Turner syndrome when she lacks the usual pair of two X chromosomes. Girls with Turner syndrome may experience weight gain that develops into obesity. They burn fewer calories during the day. Other problems associated with this syndrome include kidney problems, high blood pressure, diabetes and thyroid problems.
Cushing's Syndrome
Failure to grow and weight gain are hallmark features of Cushing's syndrome in children. Weight gain may progress to obesity in children with this condition. Cushing's children may also have excessive amounts of hair on parts of the body where hair does not normally grow. Tumors in the pituitary gland may affect 75 percent of this syndrome in children older than 7 and adrenal tumors cause most cases of Cushing's in infants and toddlers. Children that have bilateral nodular adrenal diseases may experience period Cushing's syndrome.
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