Salta al contenuto principale

Williams syndrome

Williams syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. This condition is characterised by mild to moderate intellectual disability or learning problems, unique personality characteristics, distinctive facial features, and heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) problems.

Descrizione

Williams syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. This condition is characterised by mild to moderate intellectual disability or learning problems, unique personality characteristics, distinctive facial features, and heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) problems.

People with Williams syndrome typically have difficulty with visual-spatial tasks such as drawing and assembling puzzles, but they tend to do well on tasks that involve spoken language, music, and learning by repetition (rote memorization). Affected individuals have outgoing, engaging personalities and tend to take an extreme interest in other people. Attention deficit disorder (ADD), problems with anxiety, and phobias are common among people with this disorder.

Young children with Williams syndrome have distinctive facial features including a broad forehead, puffiness around the eyes, a flat bridge of the nose, full cheeks, and a small chin. Many affected people have dental problems such as teeth that are small, widely spaced, crooked, or missing. Older children and adults typically have a longer face with a wide mouth and full lips. 

A form of cardiovascular disease called supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) occurs frequently in people with Williams syndrome. Supravalvular aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body (the aorta). If this condition is not treated, the aortic narrowing can lead to shortness of breath, chest pain, and heart failure. Narrowing of other vessels, including the artery from the heart to the polmoni (pulmonary stenosis) and the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary artery stenosis) can also occur. Other problems with the heart and blood vessels, including high blood pressure (hypertension) and stiff blood vessels, have also been reported in people with Williams syndrome. Individuals with Williams syndrome have an increased risk of complications with the use of anesthesia.

Additional signs and symptoms of Williams syndrome include abnormalities of connective tissue (tissue that supports the body's joints and organs) such as joint problems and soft, loose skin. Affected people may also have increased calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia) in infancy, developmental delays, problems with coordination, and short stature. Medical problems involving vision or hearing, including sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis), are frequently associated with Williams syndrome. In addition, problems with the digestive tract and the urinary system are also possible. Obesity or diabetes can develop in adulthood.

Modelli di ereditarietà

The source lists the following possible inheritance patterns: Autosomal dominant. More than one pattern can apply in different cases.

Altri nomi

Beuren syndrome

Elfin facies syndrome

Elfin facies with hypercalcemia

Hypercalcemia-supravalvar aortic stenosis

WBS

Williams-Beuren syndrome

WS

Related patient information and medicines

Sindrome delle gambe senza riposo

Patient information leaflet

Sindrome delle gambe senza riposo

Restless legs sindrome causes uncomfortable feelings in your legs. As a result, you have an urge to move your legs which gives temporary relief. Symptoms come on... Medication can ease symptoms if the condition is distressing. What is restless legs syndrome. Restless legs sindrome (RLS) is sometimes called Willis-Ekbom disease after the doctors.

Pre-eclampsia

Patient information leaflet

Pre-eclampsia

The severity of pre-eclampsia is usually (but not always) related to your blood pressure level. It can be a serious condition but specialist care will help mother and baby stay safe. Pre-eclampsia meaning Pre-eclampsia is a condition where you have high blood pressure (hypertension) in pregnancy and lose too much protein from your kidneys into.

Angina microvascolare

Patient information leaflet

Angina microvascolare

There is no agreed definition for CSX. The underlying cause may be sudden narrowing (spasm) of normal coronary arteries without any evidence of atheromatous fatty plaques. What is cardiac syndrome X. Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is thought to be a type of angina. In CSX chest pain is felt when the heart works harder but the heart arteries appear to be.

Sindrome di Down

Patient information leaflet

Sindrome di Down

Sindrome di Down (also known as Down syndrome) è a genetic chromosome problem. Someone with Down's syndrome has an extra copy of chromosome 21 in the cells of their body. All people with Down's syndrome have some degree of learning disability. Down's syndrome may be detected before birth (prenatally) or after birth (postnatally). It cannot be.

Sindrome compartimentale

Patient information leaflet

Sindrome compartimentale

Compartment syndrome occurs due to increased pressure within a confined space, or compartment, in the body. It can occur in the hand, the forearm, the upper arm, the buttocks, the leg, the foot and the tummy (abdomen). It tends to affect people who ar... This leaflet concentrates on compartment syndrome that can affect the limbs e does not.

Costola cervicale

Patient information leaflet

Costola cervicale

About 1 in 100 people sono born with an extra rib called a cervical rib. About 1 in 10 people who have a cervical rib develop thoracic outlet syndrome. This happens if the cervical rib squashes the nerves and blood vessels going into the arm. Treatment can include painkillers, physiotherapy and sometimes surgery to relieve the compression caused.

Ulteriori letture e riferimenti

Storia dell'articolo

Le informazioni su questa pagina sono scritte e revisionate da clinici qualificati.
  • 1 Mar 2023 | Ultima versione
  • 1 Mar 2022 | Pubblicato originariamente

Partecipa alla conversazione

Condividi i tuoi pensieri o esperienze con gli altri nel nostro comunità di pazienti.

Avvertenza: The views expressed in the community do not represent medical advice. For any health concerns, consult your GP or healthcare provider.
verifica idoneità al vaccino antinfluenzale

Chiedi, condividi, connettiti.

Esplora le discussioni, fai domande e condividi esperienze su centinaia di argomenti di salute.

Iscriviti alla newsletter di Patient

La tua dose settimanale di consigli sulla salute chiari e affidabili - scritti per aiutarti a sentirti informato, sicuro e in controllo.

Per favore, inserisci un indirizzo email valido

Abbonandoti accetti i nostri Informativa sulla Privacy. Puoi annullare l'iscrizione in qualsiasi momento. Non vendiamo mai i tuoi dati.