Smith-Magenis syndrome: Clinical and behavioral characteristics in a large retrospective cohort

Clin Genet. 2021 Apr;99(4):519-528. doi: 10.1111/cge.13906. Epub 2021 Jan 5.

Abstract

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS), characterized by dysmorphic features, neurodevelopmental disorder, and sleep disturbance, is due to an interstitial deletion of chromosome 17p11.2 (90%) or to point mutations in the RAI1 gene. In this retrospective cohort, we studied the clinical, cognitive, and behavioral profile of 47 European patients with SMS caused by a 17p11.2 deletion. We update the clinical and neurobehavioral profile of SMS. Intrauterine growth was normal in most patients. Prenatal anomalies were reported in 15%. 60% of our patients older than 10 years were overweight. Prevalence of heart defects (6.5% tetralogy of Fallot, 6.5% pulmonary stenosis), ophthalmological problems (89%), scoliosis (43%), or deafness (32%) were consistent with previous reports. Epilepsy was uncommon (2%). We identified a high prevalence of obstipation (45%). All patients had learning difficulties and developmental delay, but ID range was wide and 10% of patients had IQ in the normal range. Behavioral problems included temper tantrums and other difficult behaviors (84%) and night-time awakenings (86%). Optimal care of SMS children is multidisciplinary and requires important parental involvement. In our series, half of patients were able to follow adapted schooling, but 70% of parents had to adapt their working time, illustrating the medical, social, educative, and familial impact of having a child with SMS.

Keywords: 17p11.2; Smith-Magenis; clinical characteristics; neurodevelopmental disorder; obstipation; social impact.

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple / genetics
  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / genetics
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosome Deletion
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 / ultrastructure
  • Developmental Disabilities / genetics
  • Education, Special
  • Family Relations
  • Growth Disorders / genetics
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / genetics
  • Overweight / genetics
  • Parents
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Phenotype
  • Prenatal Diagnosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / genetics
  • Smith-Magenis Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Smith-Magenis Syndrome / embryology
  • Smith-Magenis Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Smith-Magenis Syndrome / psychology
  • Young Adult