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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffCharacteristic Angelman syndrome signs and symptoms include:
- Developmental delays, such as lack of crawling or babbling at 6 to 12 months, and intellectual disability
- Lack of or minimal speech
- Inability to walk, move or balance well (ataxia)
- Trembling movement of arms and legs
- Frequent smiling and laughter
- Happy, excitable personality
People who have Angelman syndrome may also have other signs and symptoms, including:
- Seizures, usually beginning between 2 and 3 years of age
- Stiff or jerky movements
- Small head size, with flatness in the back of the head (microbrachycephaly)
- Crossing of the eyes (strabismus)
- Tongue thrusting
- Walking with arms up in the air
- Light pigmentation in hair, skin and eyes (hypopigmentation)
When to see a doctor
Most babies with Angelman syndrome don't show signs or symptoms of the disorder when they're born. The first signs of Angelman syndrome are usually developmental delays, such as lack of crawling or babbling, between 6 and 12 months.
If your child seems to have developmental delays, or if your child has other signs or symptoms of Angelman syndrome, make an appointment to talk with your child's doctor.
References
- NINDS Angelman syndrome information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/angelman/angelman.htm. Accessed Sept. 22, 2011.
- Angelman syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=angelmansyndrome. Accessed Sept. 22, 2011.
- Dagli AI, et al. Angelman syndrome. In: Pagon RA, et al. GeneReviews. Seattle, Wash.: University of Washington; 2011. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1144/?report=printable. Accessed Sept. 23, 2011.
- Diagnostic testing. Angelman Syndrome Foundation. http://www.angelman.org/healthcare-professionals/diagnostic-testing/. Accessed Sept. 22, 2011.
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