MEXICO: Prader-Willi syndrome (21 images)

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  • Citlalli poses for a portrait while sitting on her bed, which is located next to a locked refrigerator in her two-room home in Mexico City, Mexico on March 23, 2017. Because of her condition, her mother keeps the refrigerator and kitchen under lock and key. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • A lock installed on the refrigerator at Citlalli’s home in Mexico City, Mexico on July 18, 2017. Because of her condition, her mother keeps the refrigerator and kitchen under lock and key. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli’s mother applies make-up to her daughter at their home in Mexico City, Mexico on March 23, 2017. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli grabs the door of the refrigerator before her mother can lock it shut at their home in Mexico City, Mexico on June 1, 2017. Because of Citlalli’s condition, her mother keeps the refrigerator and kitchen under lock and key. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli eats an ice cream on the streets of the Historic Center in Mexico City, Mexico on July 15, 2017. Citlalli spends one day a week with her grandmother, so her mother can visit her boyfriend. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli gets upset and clutches a pot of popcorn that she grabbed from the refrigerator before her mother locked it shut at their home in Mexico City, Mexico on March 29, 2017. Because of her condition, her mother keeps the refrigerator and kitchen under lock and key. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli eats the popcorn she had just grabbed from the refrigerator before her mother could lock it shut at their home in Mexico City, Mexico on March 29, 2017.<br /> Because of her condition, her mother keeps their refrigerator and kitchen under lock and key. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli swims with her mother at a public pool in Mexico City, Mexico on March 29, 2017. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli at a public swimming pool in Mexico City, Mexico on March 29, 2017. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli sunbathes at a public swimming pool in Mexico City, Mexico on March 29, 2017. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli eats rice pudding while her mother clips her nails at their home in Mexico City, Mexico on July 18, 2017. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli is photographed outside her front door in Mexico City, Mexico on July 18, 2017. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli showers after swimming at a public pool in Mexico City, Mexico on March 29, 2017. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli grabs the door of the refrigerator before her mother can lock it shut at their home in Mexico City, Mexico on July 18, 2017. Because of Citlalli’s condition, her mother keeps the refrigerator and kitchen under lock and key. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli wears a medical ID necklace etched with her name, phone number, blood type and status as a diabetic in Mexico City, Mexico on July 18, 2017. Citlalli has been wearing the necklace at her mother’s behest since being diagnosed with diabetes six years ago, in case she gets lost or is involved in an accident. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli eats an apple while riding a public bus in Mexico City, Mexico on March 26, 2017. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli and her mother spend a Sunday afternoon at Chapultepec Park, also known as Bosque de Chapultepec, in Mexico City, Mexico on March 26, 2017. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli eats an orange at her home in Mexico City, Mexico on June 1, 2017. <br /> Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Many people with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) frequently engage in severe skin-picking behavior, often causing open wounds and sores such as those seen on Citlalli’s forearm, which can become infected. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. Photo by Bénédicte Desrus

  • Citlalli eats popcorn while her mother braids her hair at their home in Mexico City, Mexico on March 29, 2017. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

  • Citlalli looks through the bars of the locked kitchen door at her home in Mexico City, Mexico on June 1, 2017. Because of her condition, her mother keeps the refrigerator and kitchen under lock and key. Delia Citlalli Pineda Corzo, a 21-year-old Mexican girl, lives with her 42-year-old mother Diana Cristina Corzo Zárate in a two-room apartment in Mexico City. She was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome at age four. At age 15, doctors detected that she had diabetes. Citlalli weighs 106 kilos (233.6 pounds) and stands 150 centimeters (4 feet 11 inches). She has a BMI of 50.5, making her morbidly obese. She also suffers from sleep apnea. Citlalli lacks the faculty of speech and cannot read, but her mother says they have developed their own form of communication. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in chromosome 15. In newborns symptoms include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor appetite and slow development. In childhood the person experiences a sensation of constant hunger no matter how much he/she eats which often leads to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. There may also be mild to moderate intellectual impairment and behavioral problems. Physical characteristics include a narrow forehead, small hands and feet, short in stature, and light skin color. Prader-Willi syndrome has no known cure. However, with early diagnosis and treatment such as growth hormone therapy, the condition may improve. Strict food supervision is typically required. PWS affects an estimated 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 people worldwide. (Photo by Bénédicte Desrus)

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