This fact sheet provides information about Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, its frequency, signs and symptoms and treatment.
Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a genetic developmental disorder that can affect many different parts of the body, and the features vary among affected individuals from mild to severe.
It is characterised by slowed growth leading to short stature, intellectual disability, and bone abnormalities in the arms, hands, and fingers. Many individuals with Cornelia de Lange syndrome have distinctive facial features including arched eyebrows that may meet in the middle, long eyelashes, low-set ears, upturned nose, and widely spaced teeth.
Cornelia de Lange syndrome results from problems in the following genes, which play a role in directing development before birth: NIPBL, SMC1A, HDAC8, RAD21, and SMC3
Frequency
The exact incidence is unknown, however Cornelia de Lange syndrome is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 10, 000 to 30, 000 newborns.
Signs and Symptoms
Physical characteristics
- Arched eyebrows that meet in the middle
- Low set ears
- Widely spaced teeth
- Small head (microcephaly)
- Excessive body hair
- Short stature due to slowed growth before and after birth
- Bone abnormalities of the bones in the arms, hands, and fingers
Cognitive signs
- Intellectual disability
- Delay in speech and communication
- Characteristics similar to autism spectrum disorder, including behavioural problems
Other medical concerns
- Hearing loss
- Problems with the digestive tract
- Heart problems
- Seizures
Treatment
As Cornelia de Lange syndrome affects many different parts of the body it is managed by a team of doctors and allied health professionals. Some areas of management include:
- Supplemental milk formulas for nutrition needs
- Ongoing and regular occupational, physical, and speech therapy
- Surgical advice for treatment of skeletal abnormalities
- Medications to prevent seizures
References
Cornelia De Lange Syndrome. (2019). Retrieved from
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/cornelia-de-lange-syndrome#inheritance
Cornelia De Lange Syndrome. (2019). Retrieved from
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/10109/cornelia-de-lange-syndrome
Cornelia De Lange Syndrome. (2019). Retrieved from
https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/cornelia-de-lange-syndrome/
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