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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Assessment of Social Transmission of Food Preferences Behaviors
Published on: January 25, 2018
[A teenager with Prader-Willi syndrome with loss of appetite]
Annemieke Smorenberg1, Nynke H Buter, Robert Mollema
1Medisch Centrum Alkmaar, Alkmaar.
Background:
Prader-Willi syndrome is characterised by hyperphagia and binge eating, without regurgitation.
Case Description:
We present a 16-year-old girl with Prader-Willi syndrome exhibiting loss of appetite, stomach ache and regurgitation. Gastro-enteritis was suspected. However, she rapidly developed severe septic shock. During emergency surgery, a fully necrotic and ruptured stomach was seen. Despite respiratory, haemodynamic and surgical efforts, the patient died of necrotic intestinal bleeding.
Conclusion:
Binge eating or deviant gastric homeostasis could account for the relatively high incidence of gastric necrosis in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome. Loss of appetite and regurgitation in patients with this syndrome should be considered as warning signs of a possible life-threatening disorder.
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