Its name is derived from Greek (Geron) and means "prematurely old". The classic type is the Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), which was first described in England in 1886 by Dr. Jonathan Hutchinson (1) and again in 1904 by Dr. Hastings Gilford (2).

Who was the first person with progeria?

Jonathan Hutchinson, who first described the disease in 1886, and Dr. Hastings Gilford who did the same in 1904. As newborns, children with progeria usually appear normal.

How long have we known about progeria?

This condition is very rare; it is reported to occur in 1 in 4 million newborns worldwide. More than 130 cases have been reported in the scientific literature since the condition was first described in 1886.