Lifestyle and home remedies

Here are some steps you can take at home to help your child:

• Make sure your child stays well-hydrated. Dehydration can be more serious in children with progeria. Be sure your child drinks plenty of water, especially during an illness, with activity or in hot weather.
• Provide frequent, small meals. Because nutrition and growth can be an issue for children with progeria, giving your child smaller meals more often may help increase calorie intake. Add healthy, high-calorie foods and snacks or supplements as needed.
• Provide opportunities for regular physical activity. Check with your child's doctor to learn which activities are appropriate for your child.
• Get cushioned shoes or shoe inserts for your child. The loss of body fat in the feet can cause discomfort.
• Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if your child is swimming or perspiring.
• Make sure your child is up to date on childhood immunizations. A child with progeria isn't at increased risk of infection, but like all children, is at risk if exposed to infectious diseases.
• Provide learning and social opportunities. Progeria won't affect your child's intellect, so he or she can attend school at an age-appropriate level. Some adaptations for size and ability may be needed.
• Make adaptations. You may need to make some changes at home that enable your child to have some independence and to be comfortable. These can include household changes so that your child can reach items such as faucets or light switches, clothes with special closures or in special sizes, and extra padding for chairs and beds.