Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
Classification & external resources
OMIM 130650
DiseasesDB 14141
eMedicine ped/218 
MeSH C16.131.077.133

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a rare genetic or epigenetic overgrowth syndrome (prevalence of about 1 in 36,000) associated with an elevated risk of embryonic tumor formation.[1] BWS is caused by mutations in growth regulalting genes on chromosome 11—specifically 11p15—or by errors in genomic imprinting.[2]

Clinically, patients typically present with omphalocele, macroglossia (large tongue), and macrosomia (large birth weight).[3] Organomegaly, adrenocortical cytomegaly, hemihypertrophy, and neonatal hypoglycemia may also been seen. Not all of these features appear in every individual with BWS. Macroglossia occurs in approximately 80% of cases and often results in 'floppy' airways which may require treatment with a tracheotomy.

Contents

The BWS gene locus is adjacent to the WT1 gene implicated in Wilms' tumor development, and thus the BWS locus has been named WT2. BWS-affected individuals are at an elevated risk of developing Wilms' tumors as well as other neoplasias such as hepatoblastomas.[1] For this reason, physicians may recommend periodic screening for evidence of these tumors in children diagnosed early in life with BWS. Screening tests might include abdominal or renal ultrasound imaging and serum alpha-fetoprotein levels.

Children conceived by in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are three to four times more likely to develop the condition.[4]

BWS was first described by Hans-Rudolf Wiedemann in 1964.[5]

  1. ^ a b Kumar V, Fausto N, Abbas A (editors) (2003). Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 7th, Saunders, p. 505. ISBN 978-0-721-60187-8. 
  2. ^ Weksberg R, Shuman C, Smith A (2005). "Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome". Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet 137 (1): 12-23. PMID 16010676. 
  3. ^ Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. OMIM: Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.
  4. ^ Gosden R, Trasler J, Lucifero D, Faddy M (2003). "Rare congenital disorders, imprinted genes, and assisted reproductive technology". Lancet 361 (9373): 1975-7. PMID 12801753. 
  5. ^ Wiedemann HR (1964). "Familial malformation complex with umbilical hernia and macroglossia--a new syndrome?". J Genet Hum 13: 223-32. PMID 14231762. 

Advanced Search
Included Web Search Engines


Safe Search

close

Top Matching Results

Occasionally Search.com will highlight specialized results that are based on the context of your query. Examples of specialized results include specific links to news, images, or video.

Top Matching Results may highlight information from other Search.com pages, content from the CNET Network of sites, or third party content. The listings are based purely on relevance. Search.com does not receive payment for listings in this section but our partners that provide this data may get paid for listing these products.

Sponsored Links

This section contains paid listings which have been purchased by companies that want to have their sites appear for specific search terms and related content. These listings are administered, sorted and maintained by a third party and are not endorsed by Search.com.

Search Results

Search.com sends your search query to several search engines at one time and integrates the results into one list which has been sorted by relevance using Search.com's proprietary algorithm. You can customize the list of search engines included in your metasearch from the preferences.

The search engines that are used in your metasearch may allow companies to pay to have their Web sites included within the results. To view the Paid Inclusion policy for a specific search engine, please visit their Web site. Search.com does not accept payment or share revenue with any search engine partner for listings in this section.