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A toddler with autism, absent speech, and global developmental delay has hypotonia and a high pain tolerance. CMA reveals a 22q13.3 deletion.

22q13.3 deletion or SHANK3 variant

  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Severe speech delay/absent speech
  • Intellectual disability
  • Hypotonia, high pain tolerance
  • Tendency to chew/mouth objects
  • Risk of regression, bipolar disorder in adolescence/adulthood
  • CMA detects the 22q13.3 (terminal) deletion; sequencing identifies intragenic SHANK3 variants when CMA is normal
  • FISH or parental studies to assess for a ring chromosome 22 or unbalanced translocation when a deletion is found
  • Evaluate associated anomalies: renal ultrasound, echocardiogram, audiology, and ophthalmology
  • Developmental support: speech, occupational, and physical therapy; augmentative communication for absent speech
  • Behavioral and psychiatric monitoring for regression and mood disorder in adolescence/adulthood
  • Renal, cardiac, and dental surveillance; lymphedema monitoring; manage hypotonia and high pain threshold (occult injury risk)
  • Genetic counseling, including parental karyotype/FISH when a ring 22 or translocation is identified
  • Phelan-McDermid loses "Pheeling (feeling) in the Dermis (skin)" → high pain tolerance.
  • A Shank can pierce your Dermis

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