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Copyright 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006
Synonyms of Williams Syndrome
- Beuren Syndrome
- Early Hypercalcemia Syndrome with Elfin Facies
- Elfin Facies with Hypercalcemia
- Hypercalcemia-Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis
- WBS
- Williams-Beuren Syndrome
- WMS
Disorder Subdivisions
General Discussion
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).
Organizations related to Williams Syndrome
- Arc (a national organization on mental retardation)
1010 Wayne Ave
Suite 650
Silver Spring MD 20910
Phone #: 301-565-3842
800 #: 800-433-5255
e-mail: info@thearc.org
Home page: http://www.thearc.org/
- Canadian Association for Williams Syndrome
P.O. Box 2115
Vancouver
British Columbia None V6B 3T5
Phone #: 604-853-0231
800 #: --
e-mail: sev@uniserve.com
Home page: http://www.caws-can.org
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: ordr@od.nih.gov
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/Default.aspx
- MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay WI 54301-1243
Phone #: 920-336-5333
800 #: 877-336-5333
e-mail: mums@netnet.net
Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
- Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles CA 90024
Phone #: 310-264-0826
800 #: N/A
e-mail: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Home page: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
- NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
31 Center Dr
Building 31, Room 2A32
MSC2425
Bethesda MD 20892
Phone #: 301-496-5133
800 #: --
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/
- National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
P.O. Box 544
Ambler PA 19002
Phone #: 215-325-1306
800 #: N/A
e-mail: info@CeliacCentral.org
Home page: http://www.CeliacCentral.org
- New Horizons Un-Limited, Inc.
811 East Wisconsin Ave
Suite 937
Milwaukee WI 53202
Phone #: 414-299-0124
800 #: N/A
e-mail: horizons@new-horizons.org
Home page: http://www.new-horizons.org
- Williams Syndrome Association
570 Kirts Blvd
Suite 223
Troy MI 48085
Phone #: 248-244-2229
800 #: 800-806-1871
e-mail: info@williams-syndrome.org
Home page: http://www.williams-syndrome.org
- Williams Syndrome Foundation
161 High Street
Tonbridge None TN9 1BX
Phone #: 017-32 -365152
800 #: --
e-mail: John.nelson-wsfoundation@btinternet.com
Home page: http://www.williams-syndrome.org.uk
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