Cornelia de Lange syndrome
The Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare genetic disorder of which many people have never heard of. Children with CdLS 'look' the same, there is a lot of similarity in appearance and behavior. In 1933, the Dutch pediatrician Cornelia de Lange described two children with a number of strikingly similar characteristics. The syndrome was therefore named after her.
CdLS can affect many parts of the body and individuals with CdLS may display physical, cognitive and behavioural characteristics. Cognitive characteristics are brain-based processes like memory and thinking. Behavioural characteristics refer to certain behaviours that individuals with CdLS are more likely to have. These characteristics can vary widely among affected individuals and range from small differences compared to other people to very noticeable differences. Our International panel of experts have put together a comprehensive guide to the diagnosis and management of CdLS, linked here!
