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Same Name Campaign

Because of the way our understanding of the 22q11.2 deletion evolved, several different names continue to be used for what we now know to be the same condition. These older terms include DiGeorge syndrome (DGS), velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS), conotruncal anomaly face syndrome (CTAF), Opitz G/BBB syndrome, Cayler cardiofacial syndrome, Shprintzen syndrome and more.

Genetically speaking, there is no detectable difference in the microdeletions found in people with VCFS versus those with DGS, CTAF, or the other related syndromes. Individuals with these diagnoses all have the same underlying condition: the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

Unfortunately, having…

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 What I Want Others to Know About My Son's Rare Syndrome

Most people know about Down syndrome, and that may be because it is the most common chromosomal abnormality. Have you heard of the most common chromosomal microdeletion abnormality? This condition is known by many names, but the one that geneticists use is 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, or 22q for short. Whereas Down syndrome manifests when there is an extra chromosome in the body, 22q11.2 is apparent when the q11 portion of the 22nd chromosome is missing.

Articles of Interest

A Young Woman’s Story of Living With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

From day one, Nadia was a fighter. She was born with a congenital heart defect, which required surgery when she was only one week old. Nadia was also born with a cleft palate, which made it difficult for her to breathe and swallow properly, and caused her to develop aspiration pneumonia a total of 12 times before she was even two years old.

Izzy’s Journey with 22q and CHD

Izzy was born a “blue” baby because her oxygen saturation was extremely low. She came into the world with several complex congenital heart defects (“CHDs”), including tetralogy of fallot, near pulmonary atresia, malformed tricuspid valve, and hypoplastic distal pulmonary arteries amongst other CHDs and 22q11.2. Izzy has had three open chest heart surgeries, two of them open heart, and seven heart catheterizations.

Meet Amanda! Blogger & Motivational Speaker with 22q Deletion

I love finding adults with 22q deletion who are out there giving us a glimpse into their lives by sharing their stories, and giving hope to moms like me raising young kids with 22q.

Resources

The 22q Family Foundation

Dedicated to raising awareness for 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome while connecting, supporting and offering accurate information for families affected by 22q.

International 22q11.2 Foundation

Improving the quality of life for individuals affected by the 22q11.2 syndromes through family and professional partnerships.

Mommies Quiet Place

I share the ups and the downs of living life with a genetic chromosomal deletion on the 22q chromosome. called DIGeorge syndrome aka 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

The Irvine Family

It’s caused by the deletion of a small piece of chromosome 22 and the deletion occurs near the middle of the chromosome at a location designated q11.2. 1 out of every 2,000-4,000 children are born with it, but to be a little more detailed – 1 in 68 children with congenital heart defects, and 5 to 8 percent of children born with cleft palate will test positive for it. 22q11.2 deletion is almost as common as Down syndrome.

Circle of Moms

This group is for mom's wih children that have DiGeorge Syndrome.

Dr.Greene

If babies survive the heart problems and seizures of the first several months, they begin to display an increased susceptibility to infections such as pneumonia, infectious diarrhea, and severe thrush. This immunodeficiency is the long and difficult battle of the DiGeorge anomaly. It stems from a missing or defective gland that most people haven’t even heard of — the thymus.

Genetics Home Reference

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (which is also known by several other names, listed below) is a disorder caused by the deletion of a small piece of chromosome 22. The deletion occurs near the middle of the chromosome at a location designated q11.2.

Nature.com

The first description in the English language of the constellation of findings now known to be due to this chromosomal difference was made in the 1960s in children with DiGeorge syndrome, who presented with the clinical triad of immunodeficiency, hypoparathyroidism and congenital heart disease.