The Genetic Conditions of the Waardenburg Syndrome

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Waardenburg Syndrome is a group of genetic conditions that can lead to hearing loss and changes in the color of hair, skin, and eyes (Genetics 2013). Cases of Waardenburg Syndrome are not very common. There are different types of symptoms of the syndrome. Waardenburg Syndrome can be inherited either on an autosomal dominant pattern or autosomal recessive pattern (Calendar 2013). The ways of diagnosing Waardenburg Syndrome include certain tests to detect the disorder. While Waardenburg Syndrome cannot be cured, treatments can be given to lessen the effects. Like other diseases, Waardenburg Syndrome has certain symptoms, inheritance patterns, diagnosis and treatments.
Waardenburg Syndrome affects a person’s hearing, pigmentation, facial features along with other defects. There are also four different types of Waardenburg Syndrome. The chances of hearing loss can be slim to none, although people with Waardenburg Syndrome can have profound hearing loss (Genetics 2013). Hearing loss can occur in either one or both ears and occurs at birth. People with Waardenburg Syndrome typically have pale blue eyes or even different colored eyes. Those affected can also have white or gray patches of hair at a young age (MedlinePlus 2013). Symptoms and effects of Waardenburg Syndrome appear to be different to each individual person who has the disorder. Some symptoms of Waardenburg Syndrome include pale skin, hair, and eyes, patches of white/gray hair, finger contractures, hearing loss, and different colored eyes (heterochromia). Other symptoms include numerous minor abnormalities and abnormal facial features (MedlinePlus 2013). Some symptoms, such as widely spaced eyes in type I, depend on which type of Waardenburg Syndrome a person is diagnosed w...

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...sorder itself is genetic counseling. In genetic counseling, patients meet with a genetic counselor at a hospital or some sort of other healthcare facility. (Calendar 2013)
Waardenburg Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder meaning that is caused by a mutation of genes. The disorder is classified as type I, II, III, or IV based on inheritance pattern and symptoms (Genetics 2013). Waardenburg Syndrome is an incurable disorder that is inherited from either one or both parents. If it came from one parent, it is an autosomal dominant pattern and if it came from both, it is known as an autosomal recessive pattern (Calendar 2013). Hearing loss, abnormalities with pigmentation of hair, eyes, and skin and other minor defects are some symptoms of Waardenburg Syndrome. There are many ways to diagnose the disorder and many treatments of the symptoms of it as well.

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