Angelman syndrome is a genetic disorder. It causes developmental disabilities, neurological problems and sometimes, seizures.
People with Angelman syndrome often smile and laugh frequently, and have happy, excitable personalities.
Developmental delays, between about 6 and 12 months of age, are usually the first signs of Angelman syndrome. Seizures often begin between the ages of 2 and 3 years old.
People with Angelman syndrome tend to live a normal life span, but the disease cannot be cured. Treatment focuses on managing medical and developmental issues.
Symptoms
Angelman syndrome signs and symptoms include:
Developmental delays, including no crawling or babbling at 6 to 12 months
Intellectual disability
No speech or minimal speech
Difficulty walking, moving or balancing well (ataxia)
Frequent smiling and laughter
Happy, excitable personality
People who have Angelman syndrome may also have other signs and symptoms, including:
Seizures, usually beginning between 2 and 3 years of age
Stiff or jerky movements
Small head size, with flatness in the back of the head (microbrachycephaly)
Tongue thrusting
Hair, skin and eyes that are light in color (hypopigmentation)
Unusual behaviors, such as hand flapping and arms uplifted while walking
Risk factors
Angelman syndrome is rare. Researchers usually don’t know what causes the genetic changes that result in Angelman syndrome. Most people with Angelman syndrome don’t have a family history f the disease.
Occasionally, Angelman syndrome may be inherited from a parent. A family history of the disease may increase a baby’s risk of developing Angelman syndrome.
Complications
Complications associated with Angelman syndrome include:
Feeding difficulties. Difficulty coordinating sucking and swallowing may cause feeding problems in infants. Your pediatrician may recommend a high-calorie formula to help your baby gain weight.
Hyperactivity. Children with Angelman syndrome often move quickly from one activity to another, have a short attention span, and keep their hands or a toy in their mouths. Hyperactivity often decreases with age, and medication usually isn’t necessary.
Sleep disorders. People with Angelman syndrome often have abnormal sleep-wake patterns and need less sleep than most people. Sleep difficulties may improve with age. Medication and behavior therapy may help control sleep disorders.
Curving of the spine (scoliosis). Some people with Angelman syndrome develop an abnormal side-to-side spinal curvature over time.
Obesity. Older children with Angelman syndrome tend to have large appetites, which may lead to obesity.
Prevention
In rare cases, Angelman syndrome may be passed from an affected parent to a child through defective genes. If you’re concerned about a family history of Angelman syndrome or if you already have a child with Angelman syndrome, consider talking to your doctor or a genetic counselor for help planning future pregnancies.
