Nir Friedman1, Shlomit Rienstein2, Yonatan Yeshayahu3, Doron Gothelf4, Raz Somech5. 1. Pediatric Department of B North and Immunology Service, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Jeffrey Modell Foundation Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. 2. Cytogenetic Molecular Laboratory, the Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer. 3. Pediatric Department of B North and Immunology Service, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Jeffrey Modell Foundation Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Sheba Medical Center, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. 4. The Behavioral Neurogenetics Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. 5. Pediatric Department of B North and Immunology Service, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Jeffrey Modell Foundation Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel rsomech@hotmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The diversity of clinical presentations makes the diagnosis of DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) a diagnostic challenge. The objective of our study was to report the clinical presentation of DGS in the post-childhood period. METHODS: A retrospective study, investigating patients diagnosed clinically and genetically with DGS at Sheba Medical Center during the period of 2010-2013. Post-childhood period was defined as age >10 years. RESULTS: During the study period, 29 patients were diagnosed with DGS. Nine (31%) patients with DGS were diagnosed in their post-childhood period. The basis for clinical suspicion was diverse. However, once the suspicion was brought to attention, additional symptoms consistent with DGS were noted at up to 88% of patients who presented characteristic of facial features and developmental delay. CONCLUSION: Our research shows that diagnosing DGS patients in the post-childhood period is not uncommon. Characteristic facial features and developmental delay, although not leading presenting symptoms, are found very frequently in patients with DGS.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The diversity of clinical presentations makes the diagnosis of DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) a diagnostic challenge. The objective of our study was to report the clinical presentation of DGS in the post-childhood period. METHODS: A retrospective study, investigating patients diagnosed clinically and genetically with DGS at Sheba Medical Center during the period of 2010-2013. Post-childhood period was defined as age >10 years. RESULTS: During the study period, 29 patients were diagnosed with DGS. Nine (31%) patients with DGS were diagnosed in their post-childhood period. The basis for clinical suspicion was diverse. However, once the suspicion was brought to attention, additional symptoms consistent with DGS were noted at up to 88% of patients who presented characteristic of facial features and developmental delay. CONCLUSION: Our research shows that diagnosing DGSpatients in the post-childhood period is not uncommon. Characteristic facial features and developmental delay, although not leading presenting symptoms, are found very frequently in patients with DGS.