When to see a Doctor
Most of the babies don’t show symptoms at birth. The first manifestation of AS is a developmental milestone delay. This involves failure to crawl or babble between 6 and 12 months.
If your child has signs of developmental problems or if they have one or several of the following symptoms of Angelman syndrome, contact your child’s physician.
Risk Factors
While Angelman syndrome does not have particular risk factors, the disorder happens sporadically. However, the prevalence of the said syndrome is not significantly higher in people with a family medical history of the problem or other comparable hereditary disorders. This can be responded by indicating that Genetic counseling can assist families in understanding of those risks and consequences.
Complications
Complications associated with Angelman syndrome can include:
1. Persistent seizures
2. Selective motor impairments that affect the child’s coordination patterns
3. Examples of difficult behaviors would include excessive activity or inactivity, the inability to focus and be still, and others.
4. Sleep disorders, namely insomnia and delayed or interrupted sleep
5. Feeding difficulties in infancy
Prevention
Currently, there is no known method that can be used to prevent the occurrence of Angelman Syndrome since it is a genetic disorder. However, families with a past history of the disease can consult on the possibility of the occurrence of the disease by getting a genetic analysis, hence making informed decisions on childbearing.
Treatment
While there is no cure for Angelman syndrome, various treatments can help manage the symptoms. While there is no cure for Angelman syndrome, various treatments can help manage the symptoms.
1. Medication: for epilepsy and disruptions in the regular sleep-wake cycle.
2. Therapies: The benefits of physical, occupational, and speech therapy are in developing fine motor function, language, and other aspects of motor function for mobility.
3. Behavioral therapy: for cases of hyperactivity and other related disorders.
4. Special education: learning and development packages to attain specific objectives of an organization.
5. Supportive Care: Fear of harm, adequate nutrition, and stabilizing the patient’s sleep will improve the quality of life.
Individuals with Angelman Syndrome have speech impairment, with verbal expressive language more severely affected than receptive or non-verbal communication. They also exhibit a movement disorder, with tremulousness of the limbs and/or ataxic gait. So you need to prevent this disorder with the help of a professional child physician.
