Chromosome Findings in the Prader-Willi Syndrome

The association between chromosome abnormalities and the Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) was first tabulated by Hawkey and Smithies, 1976. These authors listed 8 reports which suggested to them that a D Group chromosome was commonly involved and they urged that banding should be done in these cases to elicit the nature of the D group chromosome. Since that time a great deal of work has been done on the cytogenetics of the PWS and chromosome 15 has clearly been shown to be the D group chromosome involved. This report brings up to date the cytogenetic data on the PWS.