Maladaptive behaviors and risk factors among the genetic subtypes of Prader-Willi syndrome

Maladaptive behaviors among 65 people with Prader-Willi syndrome were assessed using the Reiss Screen for maladaptive behaviors. Young adults in their twenties were more likely to display aggressive behavior than adolescents and older adults. Differences in maladaptive behaviors between the typical deletion and uniparental disomy (UPD) subtypes were evaluated. The typical deletion subtype had higher self-injury and stealing scores than the UPD subtype. Subject characteristics were differentially related to maladaptive behavior among the typical deletion and UPD subtypes. Differences in maladaptive behavior were also examined between the typical deletion type I and type II subtypes. The type I deletion subtype had greater physical depression scores than the type II deletion subtype. The Reiss Screen cut-off scores were used to determine whether differences occurred between the subtypes at a clinically significant level. These findings offer insight into the health care needs of people with PWS.