Cornelia de Lange Syndrome

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Cornelia de Lange Syndromeis not the name you expected.

Synonyms

BDLS
Brachmann-de Lange Syndrome
CdLS
de Lange Syndrome
Amsterdam syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare genetic disorder that is apparent at birth (congenital). Associated symptoms and findings typically include delays in physical development before and after birth (prenatal and postnatal growth retardation); characteristic abnormalities of the head and facial (craniofacial) area, resulting in a distinctive facial appearance; malformations of the hands and arms (upper limbs); and mild to severe mental retardation. Many infants and children with the disorder have an unusually small, short head (microbrachycephaly); an abnormally long vertical groove between the upper lip and nose (philtrum); a depressed nasal bridge; upturned nostrils (anteverted nares); and a protruding upper jaw (maxillary prognathism). Additional, characteristic facial abnormalities may include thin, downturned lips; low-set ears; arched, well-defined eyebrows that grow together across the base of the nose (synophrys); an unusually low hairline on the forehead and the back of the neck; and abnormally curly, long eyelashes. Affected individuals may also have distinctive malformations of the limbs, such as unusually small hands and feet, inward deviation (clinodactyly) of the fifth fingers, or webbing (syndactyly) of certain toes. Less commonly, there may be absence of the forearms, hands, and fingers. Infants with Cornelia de Lange syndrome may also have feeding and breathing difficulties; an increased susceptibility to respiratory infections; a low-pitched "growling" cry; heart defects; delayed skeletal maturation; hearing loss; or other physical abnormalities. The range and severity of associated symptoms and findings may be extremely variable from case to case.

Cornelia de Lange syndrome can be inherited as an autosomal dominant condition or an X-linked condition. The only genes that have been found to be associated with Cornelia de Lange syndrome are the NIPBL gene on chromosome 5 and the SMC1L1 gene on the X chromosome. Most affected individuals have an abnormal gene as a result of a new gene mutation and do not have an affected parent. Other genes may be found to be associated with Cornelia de Lange syndrome in the future.

Resources

Children's Craniofacial Association
13140 Coit Road
Suite 517
Dallas
TX
75240
USA
Tel: (214)570-9099
Fax: (214)570-8811
800: (800)535-3643
csmith@ccakids.com
http://www.ccakids.com

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains
NY
10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
800: (888)663-4637
Askus@marchofdimes.com
http://www.marchofdimes.com

FACES: The National Craniofacial Association
P.O. Box 11082
Chattanooga
TN
37401
Tel: (423)266-1632
Fax: (423)267-3124
800: (800)332-2373
faces@faces-cranio.org
http://www.faces-cranio.org

The Arc (a national organization on mental retardation)
1010 Wayne Ave
Suite 650
Silver Spring
MD
20910
Tel: (301)565-3842
Fax: (301)565-3843
800: (800)433-5255
TDD: (817)277-0553
info@thearc.org
http://www.thearc.org/

Forward Face, Inc.
317 East 34th Street
Room 901
New York
NY
10016
Tel: (212)684-5860
Fax: (212)684-5864
800: (800)393-3223
info@forwardface.org
http://www.forwardface.org

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome - USA Foundation, Inc.
302 West Main Street
Suite 100
Avon
CT
06001
Tel: (860)676-8166
Fax: (860)676-8337
800: (800)753-2357
info@CdLSusa.org
http://www.CdLSusa.org

Congenital Heart Anomalies, Support, Education, & Resources
2112 North Wilkins Road
Swanton
OH
43558
Tel: (419)825-5575
Fax: (419)825-2880
chaser@compuserve.com
http://www.csun.edu/~hcmth011/chaser/chaser-news.html

NIH/Nat'l Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Ave
Bethesda
MD
20892-3456
Tel: (301)402-0900
Fax: (301)907-8830
800: (800)241-1044
TDD: (800)241-1105
nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov

MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay
WI
54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
800: (877)336-5333
mums@netnet.net
http://www.netnet.net/mums/

Let Them Hear Foundation
1900 University Ave #101
East Palo Alto
CA
94303
Tel: (650)462-3143
Fax: (650)462-3143
800: (877)735-2929
info@letthemhear.org
http://www.letthemhear.org

American Academy of Audiology
11730 Plaza America
#300
Reston
VA
20190
Tel: (703)790-8466
Fax: (703)790-8631
800: (800)222-2336
info@audiology.org
http://www.audiology.org

Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon St.
Watertown
MA
02472
Tel: (617)924-3434
Fax: (617)926-2027
Info@Perkins.org
http://www.Perkins.org

National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB)
The Teaching Research Institute
Western Oregon University
345 N. Monmouth Ave.
Monmouth
OR
97361
Tel: (800)438-9376
Fax: (503)838-8150
800: (800)438-9376
TDD: (800)854-7013
info@nationaldb.org
http://www.nationaldb.org

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 1/29/2008
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WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: January 29, 2008

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