This genetic condition is present at birth and can affect anyone. It is primarily characterized by distinct facial features, a series of medical complications, and physical and cognitive developmental delays. These usually occur simultaneously with excellent verbalization, extremely sociable personalities and an immeasurable likeness for music.
People diagnosed with Williams Syndrome generally have some form of heart and blood vessel disorder. This includes the narrowing of the aorta which produces SVAS (supravalvular aortic stenos) or narrowing in the pulmonary arteries (Morris and Mervis, 2000). This condition can be corrected surgically but that depends upon the severity of its occurrence. Further, regular monitoring of the child’s cardiac status is essential as a result of the increased risk for narrowing of blood vessel or high blood pressure overtime.
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Colic or Feeding Difficulties Hypercalcemia
Low birth weight / slow weight gain
When compared with their siblings, children with this syndrome usually record lower birth weight. They also struggle with weight gain during their early years of life. This “failure to thrive” is believed to contribute somewhat to their short or smaller than average stature as adults (WSA, 2014).
When compared with their siblings, children with this syndrome usually record lower birth weight. They also struggle with weight gain during their early years of life. This “failure to thrive” is believed to contribute somewhat to their short or smaller than average stature as adults (WSA, 2014).
Hyperacusis (Sensitive Hearing) and Phonophobia
Despite their affinity for music, certain frequencies or noise levels can frighten or cause immense agony for different people because of their highly sensitive hearing which may be due to a malfunctioning auditory nerve (Congenital Heart Defects UK, n.d.). In addition, they are known to have increased levels of anxiety and phobias as which are believed to be linked to the hyperacusis. Nevertheless, this often improves as they age (Spence, 2014). |
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Learning disabilities, Developmental delays and Attention Deficit Disorder
Individuals with this condition are known to have varying degrees of learning disabilities and cognitive problems. Some also experience developmental delays in walking, talking, and toilet training among others. Also, their finer motor skills and spatial relations are intellectual areas which present challenges (WSA, 2014). During their childhood years they often experience difficulties focusing and may become easily distracted. However, they usually exhibit great strengths in speech, long term memory and social skills.
Individuals with this condition are known to have varying degrees of learning disabilities and cognitive problems. Some also experience developmental delays in walking, talking, and toilet training among others. Also, their finer motor skills and spatial relations are intellectual areas which present challenges (WSA, 2014). During their childhood years they often experience difficulties focusing and may become easily distracted. However, they usually exhibit great strengths in speech, long term memory and social skills.
Kidney Abnormalities
Research has shown that calcium deposits can cause kidney problems for such persons (Herndon, 2012). There is also a minimal increase in the occurrence of problems related to the structure and function of the kidneys (WSA, 2014).
Research has shown that calcium deposits can cause kidney problems for such persons (Herndon, 2012). There is also a minimal increase in the occurrence of problems related to the structure and function of the kidneys (WSA, 2014).
Overly friendly (excessively social) personality
Persons with Williams Syndrome are very endearing and often described as having a “cocktail party” type personality. Some of their greatest character strengths are their strong expressive language skills and extreme politeness (WSA, 2014). They are also generally unafraid of strangers and show a greater interest in contact with adults than with their peers (WSA, 2014).
Persons with Williams Syndrome are very endearing and often described as having a “cocktail party” type personality. Some of their greatest character strengths are their strong expressive language skills and extreme politeness (WSA, 2014). They are also generally unafraid of strangers and show a greater interest in contact with adults than with their peers (WSA, 2014).
Chd-uk.co.uk,. (2015). Williams Syndrome | Congenital Heart Defects UK. Retrieved 20 July 2015, from http://www.chd-uk.co.uk/types-of-chd-and-operations/williams- syndrome/
Herndon, J. (2012). Williams Syndrome. Healthline. Retrieved 23 July 2015, from http://www.healthline.com/health/williams-syndrome#Overview1
Kashyap, A., Sharma, H., & Kumar, P. (2000). Dental anomalies in Williams syndrome. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 76(901), 712-712. doi:10.1136/pmj.76.901.712
Morris, C., & Mervis, C. (2000). Williams syndrome and related disorders. - PubMed – NCBI. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 22 July 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11701637
Odlarmed.com,. (2009). Medical Blog » Blog Archive » Williams syndrome. Retrieved 23 July 2015, from http://odlarmed.com/?p=833
Rather, A. (2014). Abdominal Hernias: Practice Essentials, Background, Anatomy. Emedicine.medscape.com. Retrieved 23 July 2015, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/189563-overview
Spence, E. (2014). Williams Syndrome. www.medicinenet.com. Retrieved 21 July 2015, from http://www.medicinenet.com/williams_syndrome/page4.htm
Williams-syndrome.org,. (2014). What is Williams Syndrome? | Williams Syndrome Association. Retrieved 20 July 2015, from HTTPS://WILLIAMS-SYNDROME.ORG/WHAT-IS-WILLIAMS-SYNDROME
www.wsawa.org,. (2015). Retrieved 23 July 2015, from Williams Syndrome Association of Western Australia, (2013). http://www.wsawa.org/about/about_williams_syndrome_wa.html
Herndon, J. (2012). Williams Syndrome. Healthline. Retrieved 23 July 2015, from http://www.healthline.com/health/williams-syndrome#Overview1
Kashyap, A., Sharma, H., & Kumar, P. (2000). Dental anomalies in Williams syndrome. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 76(901), 712-712. doi:10.1136/pmj.76.901.712
Morris, C., & Mervis, C. (2000). Williams syndrome and related disorders. - PubMed – NCBI. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 22 July 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11701637
Odlarmed.com,. (2009). Medical Blog » Blog Archive » Williams syndrome. Retrieved 23 July 2015, from http://odlarmed.com/?p=833
Rather, A. (2014). Abdominal Hernias: Practice Essentials, Background, Anatomy. Emedicine.medscape.com. Retrieved 23 July 2015, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/189563-overview
Spence, E. (2014). Williams Syndrome. www.medicinenet.com. Retrieved 21 July 2015, from http://www.medicinenet.com/williams_syndrome/page4.htm
Williams-syndrome.org,. (2014). What is Williams Syndrome? | Williams Syndrome Association. Retrieved 20 July 2015, from HTTPS://WILLIAMS-SYNDROME.ORG/WHAT-IS-WILLIAMS-SYNDROME
www.wsawa.org,. (2015). Retrieved 23 July 2015, from Williams Syndrome Association of Western Australia, (2013). http://www.wsawa.org/about/about_williams_syndrome_wa.html
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Date last modified: 30th July 2015