Caring for children with Williams syndrome: AAP recommendations

USA: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released recommendations for care for children with Williams syndrome (WS) who were diagnosed by using clinical features and with chromosome 7 microdeletion confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, chromosome microarray, or multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification.
The recommendations, published in the AAP journal Pediatrics, reflect review of the current literature, including previously peer-reviewed and published management suggestions for WS, as well as the consensus of physicians and psychologists with expertise in the care of individuals with WS.
"These general recommendations for the syndrome do not replace individualized medical assessment and treatment," wrote the authors.
Williams syndrome (WS), also known as Williams-Beuren syndrome, is caused by a deletion of part of chromosome 7 and is a multisystem disorder that was first identified as a distinct clinical entity in 1961.1 It is present at birth with a prevalence of 1 in 75002 and affects boys and girls equally. Children with WS usually come to the attention of pediatricians during infancy or early childhood. WS is characterized by dysmorphic facies (100%), cardiovascular disease (80%; most commonly supravalvular aortic stenosis [SVAS]), intellectual disability (75%), a characteristic cognitive profile (90%), and idiopathic hypercalcemia (15% to 45%).
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.