Last updated:
May 01, 2008
Years published: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006
Williams syndrome, also known as Williams-Beuren syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder characterized by growth delays before and after birth (prenatal and postnatal growth retardation), short stature, a varying degree of mental deficiency, and distinctive facial features that typically become more pronounced with age. Such characteristic facial features may include a round face, full cheeks, thick lips, a large mouth that is usually held open, and a broad nasal bridge with nostrils that flare forward (anteverted nares). Affected individuals may also have unusually short eyelid folds (palpebral fissures), flared eyebrows, a small lower jaw (mandible), and prominent ears. Dental abnormalities may also occur including abnormally small, underdeveloped teeth (hypodontia) with small, slender roots.
Williams syndrome may also be associated with heart (cardiac) defects, abnormally increased levels of calcium in the blood during infancy (infantile hypercalcemia), musculoskeletal defects, and/or other abnormalities. Cardiac defects may include obstruction of proper blood flow from the lower right chamber (ventricle) of the heart to the lungs (pulmonary stenosis) or abnormal narrowing above the valve in the heart between the left ventricle and the main artery of the body (supravalvular aortic stenosis). Musculoskeletal abnormalities associated with Williams syndrome may include depression of the breastbone (pectus excavatum), abnormal side-to-side or front-to-back curvature of the spine (scoliosis or kyphosis), or an awkward gait. In addition, most affected individuals have mild to moderate mental retardation; poor visual-motor integration skills; a friendly, outgoing, talkative manner of speech; a short attention span; and are easily distracted.
In most individuals with Williams syndrome, the disorder appears to occur spontaneously for unknown reasons (sporadically). However, familial cases have also been reported. Sporadic and familial cases are thought to result from deletion of genetic material from adjacent genes (contiguous genes) within a specific region of chromosome 7 (7q11.23).
Williams syndrome is characterized by a wide spectrum of symptoms and physical features that vary greatly in range and severity, even among affected family members. Individuals with Williams syndrome will not have all the symptoms listed below. Some affected individuals do not have heart (cardiac) abnormalities; others may not have elevated levels of calcium in the body (hypercalcemia). In addition, the severity of these symptoms often varies greatly from case to case.
Some children with Williams syndrome may have a low birth weight, feed poorly, and fail to gain weight and grow at the expected rate (failure to thrive). Symptoms such as vomiting, gagging, diarrhea, and constipation are common during infancy. Some affected infants may have elevated levels of calcium in their blood (hypercalcemia), leading to loss of appetite, irritability, confusion, weakness, easy fatigability, and/or abdominal and muscle pain. Calcium levels usually return to normal around the age of 12 months. However, in some cases, hypercalcemia may last into adulthood. Linear growth may be delayed during the first four years of life. However, growth spurts usually occur between the age of five and 10 years. Most people with Williams syndrome are less than average height during their adult years.
Newborns with Williams syndrome have characteristic “elfin-like” facial features including an unusually small head (microcephaly), full cheeks, an abnormally broad forehead, puffiness around the eyes and lips, a depressed nasal bridge, broad nose, and/or an unusually wide and prominent open mouth. Additional features may include a vertical skin fold on the inner corners of the eyes (epicanthal folds), a small pointed chin, prominent ears, and/or an unusually long vertical groove in the center of the upper lip (philtrum). Some infants with Williams Syndrome may have dental abnormalities including malformed teeth (i.e., hypoplastic enamel), small teeth (microdontia), and upper and lower teeth that do not meet properly (malocclusion).
A star-like (stellate) pattern in the iris of the eye may be apparent in about 50 percent of children with this disorder. It is most pronounced in those infants with blue or green eyes. This pattern may be harder to see in those children with darker eyes or it may not be present. Affected infants may also experience inward deviation of the eyes (esotropia) and farsightedness (hyperopia).
Children with Williams syndrome are extremely sensitive to sound and may overreact to unusually loud or high-pitched sounds (hyperacusis). Chronic middle ear infections (otitis media) are often present.
Motor development, (e.g., sitting and walking) and/or gross and fine motor skills (e.g., picking up an object) may be delayed. The development of secondary sexual characteristics (e.g., pubic hair and underarm hair) may occur prematurely (precocious puberty) in children with this disorder. Breast development and menstruation may occur earlier than expected in females with Williams syndrome. Individuals with this disorder may also have an unusually hoarse voice.
Congenital heart defects (CHD) occur in approximately 75 percent of children with Williams syndrome. The most frequent defect is supravalvar aortic stenosis, a condition characterized by the narrowing of the aorta above the aortic valve. The aorta is the main artery of the vascular system. Blood passes from the left ventricle of the heart, through the aortic valve, and into the aorta. In supravalvar aortic stenosis, the area above the aortic valve becomes unusually narrow. Symptoms may include fatigue, pain in the chest, dizziness, unusual heart sounds (murmurs) and/or temporary loss of consciousness (syncope). The amount of narrowing of the aorta may vary among affected individuals.
Additional congenital heart defects associated with Williams syndrome may include pulmonary artery stenosis, and/or septal defects. (For more information on these heart defects, see the Related Disorders section of this report.) Abnormally high blood pressure (hypertension) is also common in adults with this disorder.
Children with Williams syndrome typically have a personality that is friendly, outgoing, and/or talkative. The appropriate use of language and vocabulary range may be unusually enhanced in some children with this disorder. Mild to moderate mental retardation may occur. However, some children are of average intelligence with severe learning disabilities. Hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder are also common, although most affected individuals have good long-term memory. Some affected individuals may have visual difficulties; they may tend to view a picture in parts as opposed to seeing it as a whole.
Older children and adults with Williams syndrome may develop progressive joint problems that limit their range of motion. Skeletal abnormalities such as backward (lordosis), front-to-back (kyphosis), and side-to-side (scoliosis) curvature of the spine may also be present. Some affected individuals may have a sunken breastbone (pectus excavatum) and inward turning of the great toe toward the other toes (hallux valgus). Skeletal and joint abnormalities may result in an abnormal manner of walking (awkward gait). Skeletal abnormalities may become worse as affected individuals age.
Additional abnormalities may occur in some individuals with Williams syndrome including kidney (renal) abnormalities, chronic urinary tract infections, an underdeveloped (hypoplastic) thyroid gland, and umbilical or inguinal hernias.
Most cases of Williams syndrome appear to occur spontaneously (sporadically) for unknown reasons. However, some familial cases of the disorder have also been reported. Ongoing research indicates that sporadic and familial Williams syndrome result from deletions of genetic material from adjacent genes (contiguous genes) located on the long arm (q) of chromosome 7 (7q11.23). This chromosomal region has been designated “Williams-Beuren Syndrome chromosome region 1” (WBSCR1).
Chromosomes, which are present in the nucleus of human cells, carry the genetic information for each individual. Pairs of human chromosomes are numbered from 1 through 22, and an additional 23rd pair of sex chromosomes which include one X and one Y chromosome in males and two X chromosomes in females. Each chromosome has a short arm designated “p” and a long arm designated “q”. Chromosomes are further sub-divided into many bands that are numbered. For example, “chromosome 11p13” refers to band 13 on the short arm of chromosome 11. The numbered bands specify the location of the thousands of genes that are present on each chromosome.
According to investigators, 28 genes within the 7q11.23 chromosomal region may play a causative role in Williams syndrome including those known as the ELN (elastin) gene, the LIMK1 (or LIM kinase-1) gene, and the RFC2 (replication factor C, subunit 2) gene. The LIMK1 gene is believed to be involved with visual-spatial problems associated with Williams syndrome.
In familial cases, Williams syndrome is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Genetic diseases are determined by two genes, one received from the father and one from the mother. Dominant genetic disorders occur when only a single copy of an abnormal gene is necessary for the appearance of the disease. The abnormal gene can be inherited from either parent, or can be the result of a new mutation (gene change) in the affected individual. The risk of passing the abnormal gene from affected parent to offspring is 50% for each pregnancy regardless of the sex of the resulting child.
Hypercalcemia, which is associated with some cases of Williams syndrome, may occur because of an abnormal sensitivity to vitamin D.
Williams syndrome is a rare disorder that affects males and females in equal numbers and infants of any race may be affected. The prevalence of this disorder is approximately one in 10,000-20,000 births in the United States.
The diagnosis of Williams syndrome may be confirmed by a thorough clinical evaluation that includes a detailed patient history and specialized blood tests that may detect elevated levels of calcium in the blood. Another test, known as fluorescent in situ hybridization [FISH], may be used to determine whether a deletion of one elastin gene on chromosome 7 is present. This deletion is believed to occur in the majority of individuals with Williams Syndrome.
Treatment
Infants with Williams syndrome who have elevated levels of calcium in their blood may be placed on a diet that restricts the intake of vitamin D. Calcium intake may also be restricted. For those children with severe hypercalcemia, treatment with a corticosteroid drug (e.g., prednisone) may be considered on a temporary basis. After the age of about 12 months, calcium levels typically return to normal, even in untreated infants. It is recommended that children with Williams Syndrome also be evaluated by a physician who specializes in endocrine disorders (endocrinologist).
Affected children, who have symptoms related to heart defects, should receive a comprehensive evaluation at a hospital that is familiar with these rare congenital heart conditions. Specialized tests may be performed to determine the severity and exact location of congenital heart defects (i.e., EKG, echocardiogram, or cardiac catheterization). Some children with Williams Syndrome who have severe heart defects may require surgical treatment to repair the defect.
Centers for developmentally disabled children and special education services in schools may be beneficial for children with Williams syndrome to reach their personal potential. A supportive team approach may also be helpful including speech and language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, social services, and/or vocational training. Music therapy has been advocated, thought not proven, as providing enhanced learning and relief from anxiety in individuals with Williams syndrome.
Genetic counseling may be of benefit for people with Williams syndrome and their families. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
The American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement in May 2001 on the topic, Health Care Supervision for Children with Williams Syndrome (RE0034).
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: [email protected]
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com.
Researchers at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, and Utah School of Medicine are studying DNA taken from blood samples of children with Williams syndrome. This is a collaborative effort that seeks to locate the genes responsible for Williams syndrome and supravalvar aortic stenosis. Researchers hope to describe the possible genetic relationship between these two closely linked diseases. For more information, contact:
Colleen A. Morris, M.D.
2040 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 401
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 385-5011
The following is a list of Williams syndrome clinics. For more information please contact the center nearest to you:
The Children’s Hospital, Boston
300 Longwood Ave
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6501
Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders
Elland & Bethesda Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45229-2899
(513) 559-4688
Lutheran General Hospital
1875 Dempster, Suite 325
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(708) 696-7705
National Children’s Medical Center
111 Michigan Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 884-2187
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
34the Street & Civic Center Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 590-2920
National Birth Defects Center
40 Second Ave, Suite 460
Boston, MA 02154
(617) 466-9555
Children’s Hospital & Health Center
Outpatient Department
Children’s Way
San Diego, CA 92123
(619) 453-4100, Ext 1224
Children’s Hospital of Buffalo
219 Bryant Street
Buffalo, NY 14222
(716) 878-7530
TEXTBOOKS
Pober BR. Williams Syndrome. In: NORD Guide to Rare Disorders. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA. 2003:270.
Jones KL. Smith’s Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformation. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA; W.B. Saunders Company; 1997:118-9.
Buyse ML. Birth Defects Encyclopedia. Dover, MA; Blackwell Scientific Publications, Inc.; 1990:1779-80.
Behrman RE, et al., eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA; W.B. Saunders Company; 1996:475-6, 1989.
Bennett JC, Plum F., eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Co; 1996: 160.
Fauci AS, et al., eds. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th Ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, Inc; 1998:2235.
Gorlin RJ, et al., eds. Syndromes of the Head and Neck, 3rd ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1990:143-7.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Meyer-Lindenberg A, Mervis CB, Faith Berman K. Neural mechanisms in Williams syndrome: a unique window to genetic influences on cognition and behavior. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2006;7:380-93.
Selicorni, et al., Thyroid abnormalities in Williams syndrome: investigation of 95 patients. Am J Med Genet A. 2006;140:1098-101.
Gothelf D, et al., Hyperacusis in Williams syndrome: characteristics and associated neuroaudiologic abnormalities. Neurology. 2006;66:390-5.
Mervis CB, Williams syndrome: 15 years of psychological research. Dev Neuropsychol. 2003;23:1-12.
Brown JW, et al., Sugical repair of congenital supravalvular aortic stenosis in children. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2002;21:50-6.
Johnson LB, et al., Hyperacusis in Williams syndrome. J Otolaryngol. 2001;30:90-2.
Donnai D, et al., Williams syndrome: from genotype through to the cognitive phenotype. Am J Med Genet. 2000;97:164-71.
Pankau R, et al., Familial Williams-Beuren syndrome showing varying clinical expression. Am J Med Genet. 2000;98:324-9.
Paterson SJ, et al., Cognitive modularity and genetic disorders. Science. 1999;286:2355-8.
Rossen ML, et al. Why should neurologists be interested in Williams syndrome? Neuro. 1998;52:8-9.
Rae C, et al. Brain biochemistry in Williams syndrome. Neuro. 1998;52:33-40.
Kruse K, et al. Calcium metabolism in Williams-Beuren syndrome. J Pediatr. 1992;121: 902-907.
Jones KL. Williams syndrome: an historical perspective of its evolution, natural history, and etiology. Am J Med Genet Suppl. 1990;6:89-96.
Holmstrom G, et al. The iris in Williams syndrome. Arch Dis Child. 1990;65:987-989.
Giddins NG, et al. The natural course of supravalvar aortic stenosis and peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis in Williams syndrome. Br Heart J. 1989;62:315-319.
Hallidie-Smith KA, et al. Cardiac anomalies in Williams-Beuren syndrome. Arch Dis Child. 1988;63:809-813.
Morris CA, et al. Natural history of Williams syndrome: physical characteristics. J Pediatr. 1988;113:318-326.
Pagon RA, et al. Williams syndrome: features in late childhood and adolescence. Pediatrics. 1987;80:85-91.
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NORD and MedicAlert Foundation have teamed up on a new program to provide protection to rare disease patients in emergency situations.
Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/medicalert-assistance-program/Ensuring that patients and caregivers are armed with the tools they need to live their best lives while managing their rare condition is a vital part of NORD’s mission.
Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/rare-disease-educational-support/This first-of-its-kind assistance program is designed for caregivers of a child or adult diagnosed with a rare disorder.
Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/caregiver-respite/The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) does not endorse the information presented. The content has been gathered in partnership with the MONDO Disease Ontology. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment.
The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
View reportOrphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.
View reportOnline Mendelian Inheritance In Man (OMIM) has a summary of published research about this condition and includes references from the medical literature. The summary contains medical and scientific terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. OMIM is authored and edited at the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
View report