What is the most conspicuous salient feature of people with ‘Progeria’ ?

Progeria, specifically Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), is an extremely rare genetic disorder characterized by the dramatic and rapid appearance of aging beginning in early childhood [t1][t2]. The most conspicuous salient feature is the accelerated rate of aging, where children typically appear normal at birth but begin to show signs such as growth failure, wrinkled skin, and total alopecia (hair loss) within the first two years of life [t3][t4]. Unlike normal aging, these changes occur at a significantly faster pace, leading to a characteristic 'old person' appearance in children [t5][t6]. While the condition involves severe cardiovascular complications like accelerated atherosclerosis, the defining clinical hallmark is the premature aging process itself [t3][t7]. Other options like 'more hairs' are incorrect as patients suffer from balding, and while they face severe health issues, the primary diagnostic feature is the rapid aging phenotype [t1][t4].

Sources

1. [1] https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/hutchinson-gilford-progeria-syndrome/
2. [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1121/