DiGeorge Syndrome
(Velocardiofacial Syndrome; Chromosome 22q11 Deletion Syndrome)
Definition
DiGeorge syndrome is a rare genetic disease present at birth and is associated with recurrent infection, heart defects, and characteristic facial features. People with complete DiGeorge syndrome have no thymus or parathyroid glands.
Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands
Causes
DiGeorge syndrome is caused by a deletion of several genes from chromosome 22. Genes are blueprints for the body's development. The material lost in the deletion is required for the normal development of the thymus and related glands.
Risk Factors
Gestational diabetes is thought to increase the risk of DiGeorge syndrome.
Symptoms
Features of DiGeorge syndrome are present at birth and do not worsen with age. Features may include:
- Immune deficiency leading to increased infections
- Cleft palate
- Heart defects
- Failure-to-thrive
- Small head
- Increased incidence of psychiatric disorders
- Characteristic facial features, including elongated face, almond-shaped eyes, wide nose, small ears
- Learning difficulties
- Hypoparathyroidism —a disorder in which insufficient parathyroid hormone is secreted from the parathyroid glands, resulting in abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood
- Weak muscles
- Short height
- Occasional abnormalities include structural brain defects, scoliosis, umbilical or inguinal hernias , kidney abnormalities, anogenital abnormalities, eye abnormalities, and thyroid problems
- Tapered and hyperextensible fingers
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about symptoms and medical history, and do a physical exam. Other tests may include:
- Blood tests—to rule out other conditions, detect parathyroid hormone levels, and discover immune problems
- Genetic tests—to look for deletions in chromosome 22
- Chest x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take pictures of structures inside the body, especially to determine if the thymus is present
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan. Therapies are designed to target the multitude of conditions that may be associated with DiGeorge syndrome, such as cleft palate, heart defects, and hyperparathyroidism. In infants, thymic tissue transplant or bone marrow transplant may help restore immune function. But, the risks and benefits of these procedures must be carefully considered.
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent DiGeorge syndrome.
Immune Deficiency Foundation
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors
Health Canada
DiGeorge syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Accessed May 23, 2007.
DiGeorge syndrome. National Center for Biotechnology Information website. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disease/DGS.html. Accessed May 23, 2007.
Jones KL. Smith’s Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformations. 6th ed. Philadelphia PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2006.
Kleigman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia PA: Saunders; 2007.
Velocardiofacial syndrome. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders website. Available at: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/velocario.asp. Accessed May 23, 2007.
Last reviewed December 2011 by Kari Kassir, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
