WILLIAMS SYNDROME
Definition
Williams syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a deletion of a series of genes on chromosome 7q11.
Symptoms
Individuals with Williams syndrome have distinctive facial features, mild mental retardation, heart and blood vessel problems, short stature, unique personality traits, and distinct learning abilities and deficits.
Fergus, Kathleen. "Williams Syndrome." The Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders. Vol. 2. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Health and Wellness Resource Center. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/ HWRC/ hits?r=d&origSearch=true&rlt=1&bucket=ref&o=&n=10&l=d&basicSearchOption=KE&items= 0&tcit=1_1_0_1_1_1&c=1&docNum=DU2618740362&sgPhrase=true&locID=s0182&secondary=fa lse&t=RK&s=1&SU=Williams%20syndrome>.
World of Genetics. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Gale Science in Context. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/scic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=SCIC&windowstate=normal&conten tModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighligh ting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&action=e&catId=& activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CCV2433500522&userGroupName=s0182&jsid=b2b aa683e6f65c6dfb70a86c72cc8923>.
Treatment
There is no cure for Williams syndrome. Avoid taking extra calcium and vitamin D. Treat high levels of blood calcium, if present. Blood vessel narrowing can be a significant health problem and is treated based on its severity.