Angelman's syndrome in infancy
1Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110.
Insights
Angelman syndrome, characterized by a 15q11 x 2-12 chromosomal deletion, can present in infancy with growth failure and delayed development, enabling early diagnosis. Awareness of these early clinical signs is crucial for timely intervention.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Angelman syndrome is a genetic disorder typically diagnosed later in childhood.
- Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management and intervention.
Observation:
- An 11-month-old infant presented with clinical features suggestive of Angelman syndrome.
- The patient exhibited pronounced postnatal growth failure, delayed dentition, and delayed ossification of growth centers.
- Low amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein was detected at 16 weeks gestation; head MRI revealed generalized atrophy.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome due to a 15q11 x 2-12 chromosomal deletion.
- This case demonstrates that Angelman syndrome's clinical features can manifest in infancy.
- A genetic marker similar to that of Prader-Willi syndrome was noted in some affected individuals.
Implications:
- Early recognition of infantile Angelman syndrome symptoms can lead to earlier diagnosis.
- Increased awareness among clinicians regarding early signs can improve patient outcomes.
- Understanding the genetic basis, including chromosomal deletions, aids in differential diagnosis.
Abstract:
The authors report an 11-month-old patient with the clinical features of Angelman syndrome and a 15q11 x 2-12 chromosomal deletion, thus demonstrating that the clinical features may be present in infancy and so allow early diagnosis. The features included pronounced postnatal growth failure, delayed dentition and ossification of growth centers. Low amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein was noted at 16 weeks of gestation. Head MRI showed only generalized atrophy. Some affected patients have a genetic marker similar to the chromosomal deletion associated with Prader-Willi syndrome. The importance of awareness of the clinical symptoms of Angelman syndrome is discussed.
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