Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

• Illustrations
• Definition
• Causes, incidence, and risk factors
• Symptoms
• Signs and tests
• Treatment

• Support Groups
• Expectations (prognosis)
• Complications
• Calling your health care provider
• Prevention

Definition    Return to top

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is characterized by a consistent set of symptoms including a large tongue (macroglossia), large organs (visceromegaly), large body size (macrosomia), umbilical hernia or omphalocele (hernia of the navel), and low blood sugar in the newborn (neonatal hypoglycemia). The cause is unknown.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

The cause of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is unknown, but it appears to be genetic. Some cases may be associated with a defect in chromosome number 11.

Affected children are often large at birth. Many have an abdominal wall defect, such as an umbilical hernia or omphalocele. They have a characteristic facial appearance with a gaping mouth and large tongue.

Infancy can be a critical period because of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), omphalocele (when present), and an increased rate of tumor development (Wilm's tumor and adrenal carcinoma being most common).

Symptoms    Return to top

• Large newborn (LGA, large for gestational age)
• Large tongue, sometimes protruding
• Large, prominent eyes
• Creases in ear lobes
• Pinna (external ear) abnormalities and low-set ears
• Abdominal wall defect: umbilical hernia or omphalocele
• Separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
• Undescended testicles (cryptorchidism)
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Poor feeding
• Lethargy
• Seizures
• Enlargement of some organs and tissues

Signs and tests    Return to top

The signs for Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome are as follows:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Enlarged kidneys, liver, and spleen
• Large fontanelle (enlarged soft spot)
• Metopic ridge (a ridge in the forehead, caused by premature closure of the cranial suture just forward of the anterior fontanelle)
• Early bone maturation
• Accelerated growth (in the 90th percentile)

The tests for Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome are as follows:

• Bone X-ray (of the long bones)
• Blood tests to test for low sugar or other abnormalities
• Ultrasound of the abdomen
• X-ray of the abdomen
• MRI scan of the abdomen or CT scan of the abdomen
• Chromosome studies (for abnormalities in the chromosome 11)

Treatment    Return to top

In infancy, hypoglycemia may be treated with intravenous solutions. Enlargement of the tongue can cause problems with feeding and sleeping.

Defects of the abdominal wall may need to be repaired. In addition, affected children must be followed carefully for the appearance of tumors.

Support Groups    Return to top

A support group for this syndrome can be found at www.beckwith-wiedemann.org.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Children who survive infancy do well, although there is no long-term follow-up information available. Mental function appears to be normal to very slightly decreased.

Complications    Return to top

• Hypoglycemia
• Seizures
• Respiratory difficulties from obstruction due to large tongue
• Feeding problems
• Development of tumors

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

If you have a child with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome at home and any worrisome symptoms develop, call your health care provider immediately.

Prevention    Return to top

There is no known prevention at this time. Genetic counseling may be of value for families.