Hutchinson–Gilford syndrome or progeria (derived from pro, before, and geras, old age) is characterized by premature ageing (Fig. 18.1) and the early onset of age-related symptoms such as joint restriction and cerebral and myocardial infarction. Progeria occurs in about one in eight million people (DeBusk, 1972), but the true incidence may be somewhat higher (Sarkar and Shinton, 2001).