Williams Syndrome (cont.)
In this Article
- Williams syndrome facts*
- What is Williams syndrome?
- How common is Williams syndrome?
- What are the genetic changes related to Williams syndrome?
- Can Williams syndrome be inherited?
- What other names do people use for Williams syndrome?
- Find a local Doctor in your town
Can Williams syndrome be inherited?
Most cases of Williams syndrome are not inherited, but occur as random events during the formation of reproductive cells (eggs or sperm) in a parent of an affected individual. These cases occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family.
Williams syndrome is considered an autosomal dominant condition because one copy of the altered chromosome 7 in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. In a small percentage of cases, people with Williams syndrome inherit the chromosomal deletion from a parent with the condition.
What other names do people use for Williams syndrome?
- Beuren syndrome
- Elfin Facies Syndrome
- Elfin facies with hypercalcemia
- Hypercalcemia-Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis
- Infantile hypercalcemia
- Supravalvar aortic stenosis syndrome
- Williams-Beuren Syndrome
Medically reviewed by Edward Spence, MD; American Board of Pediatrics and American Board of Medical Genetics with subspecialties in Clinical Genetics, Clinical Biochemical Genetics, Clinical Molecular Genetics
Genetics Home Reference. "Williams syndrome." U.S. National Library of Medicine. Mar. 2008. <http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/williams-syndrome>.
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