What Are The Symptoms Of Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome?

Thinning And Wrinkled Skin

Thinning and wrinkled skin are commonly observed symptoms that occur in children affected by Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome. When healthy individuals age normally, the skin thins out due to a reduction of collagen and elastin production. Collagen is the substance responsible for helping the skin retain moisture, elasticity, and a youthful appearance. Children who have Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome have skin cells that produce less and less collagen over a short timespan. When there is not enough collagen provided to the skin cells, they do not regenerate or repair themselves effectively. Patients with this syndrome shed off thousands of dead skin cells every day, just like healthy individuals do. However, individuals with Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome experience progressively thinning skin because there are no new healthy skin cells to replace the ones that have died like there are in healthy individuals. Often times, the first indication of thin skin is the increased prominence of the veins that can be seen through it. Frequent and abnormal bruising also becomes more apparent. As less collagen is produced, the skin will tear easier and become wrinkled.

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