[Noonan syndrome: from phenotype to growth hormone therapy]

Clinical orofacial and myofunctional manifestations in an adolescent with Noonan Syndrome: a case report

ABSTRACT Noonan syndrome is an autosomal dominant genetic disease with different manifestations, including Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences ones. The authors describe the orofacial and myofunctional manifestations of an adolescent diagnosed with Noonan syndrome, by consulting the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences record of a 17-year-old male patient, who underwent screening and speech therapy evaluation with a confirmed genetic diagnosis of Noonan syndrome. The results were qualitatively analyzed. The patient had a long facial type, with a disproportion between the lower and middle thirds of the face, ogival palate, and Mallampati class IV. A deficit in mobility and sensitivity of phonoarticulatory organs was also identified, absence of pathological oral and gag reflexes, decreased lip tone and tongue tension, increased speed chewing and inefficient grinding, functional swallowing for assessed consistencies, mild verbal and nonverbal apraxia, and moderate dysarthria. The results confirmed the presence of alterations in the speech-language organs, proving the relevance of the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences evaluation in Noonan Syndrome, to allow adequate follow-up and treatment.

Prevalence of scoliosis in Williams-Beuren syndrome patients treated at a regional reference center

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the prevalence of scoliosis and the patterns of scoliotic curves in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome. Williams-Beuren syndrome is caused by a chromosome 7q11.23 deletion in a region containing 28 genes, with the gene encoding elastin situated approximately at the midpoint of the deletion. Mutation of the elastin gene leads to phenotypic changes in patients, including neurodevelopmental impairment of varying degrees, characteristic facies, cardiovascular abnormalities, hypercalcemia, urological dysfunctions, and bone and joint dysfunctions.

METHODS

A total of 41 patients diagnosed with Williams-Beuren syndrome, who were followed up at the genetics ambulatory center of a large referral hospital, were included in the study. There were 25 male subjects. The patients were examined and submitted to radiographic investigation for Cobb angle calculation.

RESULTS

It was observed that 14 patients had scoliosis; of these 14 patients, 10 were male. The pattern of deformity in younger patients was that of flexible and simple curves, although adults presented with double and triple curves. Statistical analysis showed no relationships between scoliosis and age or sex.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed a prevalence of scoliosis in patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome of 34.1%; however, age and sex were not significantly associated with scoliosis or with the severity of the curves.