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Williams Syndrome. By Jennifer Hoban. Symptoms. Slight facial abnormalities such as small upturned nose, puffiness around the eyes Heart and blood vessel problems including narrowing of vessels and aorta Hypercalcemia - Evaluated blood calcium
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Williams Syndrome By Jennifer Hoban
Symptoms • Slight facial abnormalities such as small upturned nose, puffiness around the eyes • Heart and blood vessel problems including narrowing of vessels and aorta • Hypercalcemia - Evaluated blood calcium • Low birth weight, feeding problems, prone to colic • Dental and kidney abnormalities, hernias, hearing sensitivity, musculoskeletal problems • Overly friendly but has learning disabilities and usually are mildly retarded
Testing • FISH test - fluorescence in situ hybridization ($250) • Blood Sample is taken • Treated with two fluorescence dyes • Chromosome 7 is checked for the dye • If found then in one not two then has syndrome and is missing the elastin gene • In found in both then normal
Background • 1 out of 20,000 children born • There are 15 genes missing • Elastin was the first discovered • Elastin gives the body elasticity • Found in arteries, lungs, skin and connective tissues • Therefore effects heart, lungs, and muscle tissues
Continued • LIM-kinase1 – second gene found on Chromosome 7 • Responsible for 3D thinking skills • Found on the long arm 7q.11.23 • Spans 1.5 megabases • Syndrome first diagnosised in the 1960’s
References • Www.williams-syndrome.org • http://www.wsf.org/ • Schultz, Roberts. Genetics of Childhood disorders:XXVI Williams Syndrome and Brain Behavior Relationships. J. Of Amer. Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, May 2001. • Siegel, Lee. Utah Scientists link Genes to Ability to Think Straight. Salt Lake City Tribune. 12 July, 1996