Rectal bleeding and rectal picking in Prader-Willi syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by infantile hypo tonia, obesity, hypogonadism and mental retardation. Individuals with Prade r-Willi syndrome manifest a severe skin picking behavior, including rectal picking. Case report. - We report the case of a girl (12 years old) with this syndro me in whom rectal picking resulted in rectal bleeding and solitary rectal u lcer. Conclusion. - Caregivers of children with Prader-Willi syndrome should be a ware of a potential rectal picking behavior, which results in significant b leeding. Early recognition of such a behavior helps to avoid misdiagnosis. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.