How does DiGeorge syndrome affect learning?

DiGeorge syndrome can cause a range of problems, but most people will not have all of these. Some of the most common issues are: learning and behaviour problems – including delays in learning to walk or talk, learning disabilities and problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism.

How can I help my child with DiGeorge syndrome?

How is DiGeorge syndrome treated?

1. Antibiotic medications to treat infections.
2. Calcium supplementation to treat low calcium levels.
3. Ear tubes or hearing aids to improve hearing.
4. Occupational therapy to improve developmental and behavioral issues.
5. Physical therapy to improve mobility and movement.

Will further assistance be needed as the child grows older with DiGeorge syndrome?

Most children who get treatment early will survive and grow into adulthood. They will likely need extra help throughout school. They may also need long-term care for their health needs. A person with this condition has a 1 in 2 chance of passing the problem to a child.

Does DiGeorge syndrome affect speech?

Language. Children with DiGeorge Syndrome are often very slow in acquiring language skills and most children are nonverbal prior to age 2. Receptive language abilities, such as comprehension, are generally stronger than expressive language abilities.

How long do people with DiGeorge syndrome live for?

Without treatment, life expectancy for some children with complete DiGeorge syndrome is two or three years. However, most children with DiGeorge syndrome that is not “complete” survive to adulthood.

What is 22q disease?

What is 22q Deletion Syndrome? 22q 11.2 deletion syndrome (22q DS) is caused by a missing piece of genetic material on the long (q) arm of chromosome 22. With an incidence of one in 4,000 live births, the condition is one of the most common genetic disorders along the Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.

What is 22q syndrome?

What Is 22q Syndrome? 22q11.2 deletion syndrome—also known as DiGeorge syndrome—is a disorder that occurs when a small part of chromosome 22 is missing, according to the Mayo Clinic.

What is chromosome 22?

Chromosome 22 is the second smallest human chromosome, spanning more than 51 million DNA building blocks (base pairs) and representing between 1.5 and 2 percent of the total DNA in cells. In 1999, researchers working on the Human Genome Project announced they had determined the sequence of base pairs that make up this chromosome.

What is the history of 22q11 DiGeorge syndrome?

Overview. DiGeorge syndrome, more accurately known by a broader term — 22q11.2 deletion syndrome — is a disorder caused when a small part of chromosome 22 is missing. This deletion results in the poor development of several body systems. The term 22q11.2 deletion syndrome covers terms once thought to be separate conditions, including DiGeorge syndrome, velocardiofacial syndrome and other disorders that have the same genetic cause, though features may vary slightly.