Zespół angelmana
Diagnostyka i diagnoza

Zespół Angelmana (AS) to rzadkie zaburzenie genetyczne manifestujące się ciężkim opóźnieniem rozwojowym, afazją, ataksją chodu oraz charakterystycznym fenotypem behawioralnym, w tym nadmiernym śmiechem i nadpobudliwością. Diagnoza kliniczna jest utrudniona ze względu na opóźnione pojawienie się objawów i ich podobieństwo do innych zaburzeń neurorozwojowych. Średni wiek rozpoznania wynosi około 18 miesięcy, przy wcześniejszym wykrywaniu u pacjentów z delecją matczynego chromosomu 15q11.2-q13 (średnio 23 miesiące). Kryteria diagnostyczne obejmują cechy stałe (opóźnienie rozwojowe, zaburzenia mowy i ruchowe, nieprawidłowości behawioralne), cechy częste (nieprawidłowy zapis EEG, mikrocefalia, napady padaczkowe) oraz cechy towarzyszące (m.in. hipopigmentacja, szeroki chód). Diagnostyka genetyczna opiera się na testach metylacji DNA (wykrywających około 80% przypadków), analizie delecji (FISH, CMA, array CGH), badaniu disomii jednorodzicielskiej (UPD) oraz sekwencjonowaniu genu UBE3A (10-11% przypadków). W trudnych przypadkach stosuje się WES lub WGS. Charakterystyczny zapis EEG z wysoką amplitudą fal delta i iglicami-falą wolną wspomaga rozpoznanie.

Diagnostyka zespołu Angelmana

Zespół Angelmana (ang. Angelman syndrome, AS) to rzadkie zaburzenie genetyczne charakteryzujące się poważnym opóźnieniem rozwojowym, znacznym upośledzeniem mowy, ataksją chodu, zaburzeniami równowagi oraz unikalnym fenotypem behawioralnym obejmującym szczęśliwe usposobienie, częsty śmiech i nadpobudliwość.12 Diagnoza zespołu Angelmana jest istotnym wyzwaniem klinicznym ze względu na podobieństwo objawów do innych zaburzeń neurorozwojowych.

Wiek diagnostyki

Dzieci z zespołem Angelmana zwykle nie wykazują charakterystycznych objawów przy urodzeniu. Pierwsze podejrzenia pojawiają się najczęściej między 6 a 12 miesiącem życia, gdy rodzice zaczynają zauważać opóźnienia rozwojowe, takie jak brak raczkowania czy gaworzenia.12 Diagnoza stawiana jest najczęściej u dzieci w wieku od 9 miesięcy do 6 lat, przy czym średni wiek diagnozy wynosi około 18 miesięcy.12 Opóźnienie pojawienia się charakterystycznych cech sprawia, że diagnoza kliniczna jest trudna w pierwszych 2-3 latach życia.1

W przypadku pacjentów z wariantem delecyjnym, diagnoza stawiana jest wcześniej (średnio w wieku 23 miesięcy) w porównaniu do pacjentów z innymi wariantami genetycznymi.1 Badania polskiej populacji wykazują, że średni wiek pierwszych objawów to 5 miesięcy, a średni czas trwania procesu diagnostycznego wynosi 7 miesięcy.1

Kryteria diagnostyczne

Rozpoznanie zespołu Angelmana opiera się na kombinacji kryteriów klinicznych i badań genetycznych. Kryteria diagnostyczne zostały opracowane we współpracy z Komitetem Doradczym ds. Naukowych Fundacji Zespołu Angelmana w Stanach Zjednoczonych i podlegały rewizji w 2005 roku.12

Kryteria kliniczne podzielone są na trzy kategorie:1

23

Do postawienia klinicznej diagnozy zespołu Angelmana nie jest konieczne występowanie wszystkich cech. Najbardziej charakterystycznym objawem jest fenotyp behawioralny, a szeroki zakres objawów klinicznych powinien wzbudzić podejrzenie zespołu Angelmana.1

Badania genetyczne

Badania genetyczne są kluczowym elementem diagnostyki zespołu Angelmana, pozwalającym na potwierdzenie klinicznego podejrzenia. Różnorodność mechanizmów genetycznych powodujących tę chorobę wymaga często przeprowadzenia kilku testów diagnostycznych.1

Badanie metylacji DNA

Test metylacji DNA (DNA methylation test) jest zwykle pierwszym badaniem wykonywanym przy podejrzeniu zespołu Angelmana. Test ten pozwala na ocenę wzorca metylacji w regionie 15q11.2-q13, umożliwiając wykrycie około 80% przypadków zespołu Angelmana, w tym tych spowodowanych przez delecję, disomię jednorodzicielską (UPD) oraz defekty centrum imprintingu.12

Nieprawidłowy wzorzec metylacji matczynego chromosomu 15q11.2-q13 jest diagnostyczny dla zespołu Angelmana. W przypadku pozytywnego wyniku testu metylacji, kolejnym krokiem jest określenie konkretnego mechanizmu genetycznego.12

Analiza delecji chromosomowych

Jeśli test metylacji DNA wskazuje na nieprawidłowości, przeprowadza się dalsze badania w celu identyfikacji przyczyny genetycznej. Najczęstszą przyczyną zespołu Angelmana (około 70% przypadków) jest delecja matczynego chromosomu 15q11.2-q13.1

Do wykrywania delecji stosuje się następujące techniki:12

  • Fluorescencyjna hybrydyzacja in situ (FISH) – pozwala na wykrycie delecji w regionie 15q11.2-q13
  • Mikromacierz chromosomowa (CMA) – umożliwia identyfikację brakujących fragmentów chromosomów
  • Porównawcza hybrydyzacja genomowa (array CGH) – pozwala na wykrycie delecji i duplikacji w genomie

FISH wykrywa 80-85% wszystkich delecji związanych z zespołem Angelmana.1 Obecnie mikromacierz chromosomowa (CMA) jest preferowanym badaniem pierwszego rzutu do wykrywania delecji 15q11.2-q13, charakterystycznej dla około 70% przypadków zespołu Angelmana.1

Analiza disomii jednorodzicielskiej

Jeśli badanie metylacji DNA wykazuje nieprawidłowości, ale nie stwierdza się delecji, kolejnym krokiem jest wykluczenie disomii jednorodzicielskiej ojcowskiej (UPD), która odpowiada za około 5-10% przypadków zespołu Angelmana.1

Do tego celu stosuje się analizę markerów DNA, która pozwala określić, czy dana osoba odziedziczyła dwie kopie chromosomu 15 od ojca. Jeśli test ten nie wykazuje obecności UPD, prawdopodobną przyczyną jest defekt centrum imprintingu.12

Sekwencjonowanie genu UBE3A

Jeśli testy metylacji DNA są prawidłowe, ale objawy kliniczne silnie sugerują zespół Angelmana, wykonuje się sekwencjonowanie genu UBE3A. Mutacje w tym genie odpowiadają za około 10-11% przypadków zespołu Angelmana.12

Test ten jest jedynym sposobem na zidentyfikowanie mutacji w genie UBE3A, które nie mogą być wykryte innymi technikami. Pathogeniczny lub prawdopodobnie patogeniczny wariant w genie UBE3A potwierdza diagnozę zespołu Angelmana.12

Sekwencjonowanie eksomowe i genomowe

W przypadkach, gdy diagnoza pozostaje niejasna lub rozważane są różne choroby genetyczne, można zastosować sekwencjonowanie całego eksomu (WES) lub sekwencjonowanie całego genomu (WGS).1

Metody te umożliwiają wykrycie rzadkich wariantów zespołu Angelmana, które nie mogą być zidentyfikowane innymi technikami.1 WES i WGS są szczególnie przydatne w przypadkach, gdy wyniki standardowych testów genetycznych są ujemne, a objawy kliniczne sugerują zespół Angelmana.1

Dodatkowe badania diagnostyczne

Elektroencefalografia (EEG)

Elektroencefalografia (EEG) jest cennym narzędziem w diagnostyce zespołu Angelmana, szczególnie w przypadkach, gdy wyniki badań genetycznych są niejednoznaczne. Charakterystyczny zapis EEG może być pomocny w diagnostyce, nawet przed pojawieniem się napadów padaczkowych.12

Typowe nieprawidłowości w zapisie EEG u pacjentów z zespołem Angelmana obejmują uogólnione zmiany z obszarami aktywności delta o wysokiej amplitudzie, przeplatane aktywnością typu iglica-fala wolna.1 Ten charakterystyczny wzorzec EEG może pomóc w rozróżnieniu zespołu Angelmana od innych zaburzeń, takich jak zespół Westa czy zespół Lennox-Gastaut.1

Badania obrazowe

Badania obrazowe mogą być pomocne w diagnostyce różnicowej zespołu Angelmana, chociaż zwykle struktura mózgu jest prawidłowa.1 Do stosowanych metod należą:

  • Rezonans magnetyczny (MRI) – może wykazać łagodne zmniejszenie kory mózgowej lub inne nieprawidłowości12
  • Tomografia komputerowa (CT) – może być stosowana we wczesnych etapach diagnozy zespołu Angelmana1
  • Pozytonowa tomografia emisyjna (PET) – może być wykorzystana do wizualizacji funkcji tkanek i narządów1

Chociaż badania obrazowe nie są specyficzne dla zespołu Angelmana, mogą pomóc w wykluczeniu innych przyczyn opóźnienia rozwojowego i zaburzeń neurologicznych.1

Diagnostyka prenatalna

W przypadku rodzinnego występowania zespołu Angelmana, możliwe jest przeprowadzenie diagnostyki prenatalnej. Dostępne metody obejmują:1

  • Nieinwazyjne badania prenatalne (NIPS) – analizują małe fragmenty DNA płodu krążące we krwi matki1
  • Amniocentezę – pobranie próbki płynu owodniowego zawierającego komórki rozwijającego się dziecka1

Należy jednak pamiętać, że około 10% przypadków zespołu Angelmana nie ma znanej przyczyny genetycznej, co oznacza, że diagnostyka prenatalna nie wykryłaby tych przypadków.1 Ponadto, obecne wersje NIPS nie mogą wykryć zespołu Angelmana spowodowanego mutacją, UPD lub defektem centrum imprintingu.1

Diagnostyka różnicowa

Ze względu na podobieństwo objawów, zespół Angelmana może być mylony z innymi zaburzeniami neurorozwojowymi. Według badań, około 37,9% pacjentów początkowo otrzymuje inną diagnozę.1 Najczęstsze błędne diagnozy to:12

  • Zaburzenia ze spektrum autyzmu – ze względu na opóźnienia w rozwoju mowy i trudności społeczne
  • Mózgowe porażenie dziecięce – z powodu opóźnień ruchowych i zaburzeń napięcia mięśniowego
  • Zespół Rett – charakteryzujący się regresją rozwojową i stereotypowymi ruchami rąk
  • Zespół Pitt-Hopkins – z charakterystycznymi cechami dysmorficznymi i opóźnieniem rozwojowym
  • Zespół Prader-Willi – który również wiąże się z nieprawidłowościami chromosomu 15

Inne zaburzenia, które należy rozważyć w diagnostyce różnicowej, to zespół Mowat-Wilson, zespół Christianson, zespół Phelan-McDermid, zespół Kleefstra i zespół Koolen-de Vries.12

Badania genetyczne i inne rodzaje testów mają kluczowe znaczenie dla postawienia dokładnej diagnozy i zapobiegania długotrwałym błędnym rozpoznaniom.1

Znaczenie wczesnej diagnozy

Wczesna diagnoza zespołu Angelmana jest kluczowa dla poprawy rokowania i osiągnięcia satysfakcjonujących wyników leczenia.1 Pozwala na:

  • Wczesne rozpoczęcie interwencji terapeutycznych1
  • Dostęp do odpowiednich zasobów i programów wsparcia1
  • Zapewnienie spersonalizowanej opieki1
  • Dokładne określenie ryzyka ponownego wystąpienia zespołu w rodzinie1

Dla każdego dziecka z zespołem Angelmana ważne jest poznanie konkretnej zmiany genetycznej, która spowodowała chorobę. Pomaga to określić ryzyko wystąpienia zespołu Angelmana u kolejnego dziecka.1

Po otrzymaniu diagnozy zespołu Angelmana, rodzice często są przytłoczeni faktem, że nie wiedzą nic o zespole i o tym, co ich czeka. Dlatego ważne jest zapewnienie im odpowiedniego wsparcia i informacji.1

Wyzwania diagnostyczne w Polsce

Diagnostyka zespołu Angelmana w Polsce napotyka pewne wyzwania, mimo że ogólnie opieka nad pacjentami z AS jest zgodna z europejskimi i światowymi standardami. Główne problemy to:12

  • Utrudniony dostęp do genetyków klinicznych
  • Brak refundacji niektórych testów genetycznych, szczególnie badań o szerokim spektrum
  • Brak publicznie dostępnych informacji na temat lokalizacji referencyjnych laboratoriów genetycznych
  • Trudności w znalezieniu odpowiedniego specjalisty, który zauważy nieprawidłowości i skieruje dziecko na szczegółowe badania genetyczne

Podstawowe cechy zespołu Angelmana powinny być szerzej rozpowszechniane wśród pediatrów i innych pracowników służby zdrowia w celu poprawy standardów dotyczących procesu diagnostycznego i leczenia, a także jakości życia pacjentów i ich rodzin.1

Podsumowanie procesu diagnostycznego

Diagnostyka zespołu Angelmana jest złożonym procesem, który wymaga podejścia wieloetapowego ze względu na różnorodność mechanizmów genetycznych powodujących tę chorobę. Diagnoza opiera się na kombinacji objawów klinicznych i badań genetycznych.1

Zalecana ścieżka diagnostyczna obejmuje:12

  1. Ocenę kliniczną – identyfikacja charakterystycznych cech zespołu Angelmana
  2. Badanie metylacji DNA – wykrywa około 80-85% przypadków AS
  3. Analiza delecji chromosomowych (FISH lub CMA) – jeśli badanie metylacji wykazuje nieprawidłowości
  4. Analiza disomii jednorodzicielskiej – jeśli nie wykryto delecji
  5. Sekwencjonowanie genu UBE3A – jeśli badanie metylacji jest prawidłowe, ale objawy kliniczne sugerują AS
  6. Dodatkowe badania genetyczne (WES, WGS) – w przypadkach trudnych diagnostycznie

Należy pamiętać, że około 10% osób z klinicznymi cechami zespołu Angelmana może mieć ujemne wyniki badań genetycznych, co sugeruje istnienie jeszcze niepoznanych mechanizmów genetycznych powodujących tę chorobę.12

Wczesna i dokładna diagnoza ma kluczowe znaczenie dla zapewnienia odpowiedniej opieki medycznej, terapii oraz wsparcia, a także dla umożliwienia poradnictwa genetycznego dotyczącego ryzyka ponownego wystąpienia choroby w rodzinie.1

Kolejne rozdziały

Zapraszamy do dalszego czytania naszego leksykonu.

Wybierz kolejny rozdział z menu poniżej, aby otworzyć nową podstronę kompedium wiedzy i uzyskać szczegółowe informację o leku, substancji lub chorobie.

  1. 18.04.2026
  2. www.leksykon.com.pl

Materiały źródłowe

  • #1 Angelman Syndrome – GeneReviews® – NCBI Bookshelf
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1144/
    Angelman syndrome (AS) is characterized by severe developmental delay or intellectual disability, severe speech impairment, gait ataxia and/or tremulousness of the limbs, and unique behavior with an apparent happy demeanor that includes frequent laughing, smiling, and excitability. […] The diagnosis of AS is established in a proband who meets the consensus clinical diagnostic criteria and/or who has findings on molecular genetic testing that suggest deficient expression or function of the maternally inherited UBE3A allele. Analysis of parent-specific DNA methylation imprints in the 15q11.2-q13 chromosome region detects approximately 80% of individuals with AS, including those with a deletion, uniparental disomy, or an imprinting defect; fewer than 1% of individuals have a cytogenetically visible chromosome rearrangement (e.g., translocation or inversion). UBE3A sequence analysis detects pathogenic variants in an additional approximately 11% of individuals. Therefore, molecular genetic testing (methylation analysis and UBE3A sequence analysis) identifies alterations in approximately 90% of individuals. The remaining 10% of individuals with classic phenotypic features of AS have the disorder as a result of an as-yet unidentified genetic mechanism.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome | Boston Children’s Hospital
    https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/angelman-syndrome
    Angelman syndrome is a complex genetic disorder that causes developmental and neurological problems, such as severe speech impairment and trouble walking and balancing. […] The disorder is typically diagnosed at ages 6 to 12 months, when parents begin to notice developmental delays such as a lack of crawling or babbling. […] To confirm a diagnosis of Angelman syndrome, your child’s doctor will perform a combination of genetic tests that can include the following: Chromosome analysis to examine the size, shape, and number of chromosomes in a cell, Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to see if any chromosomes are missing, DNA methylation test to see if both copies of a gene — one from the mother and one from the father — are active, Sequencing of the ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A (UBE3A): to look for a mutation in the maternal mutation of this gene, which is a rare cause of Angelman syndrome.
  • #1 angelman-logo-landscape
    https://www.angelmanuk.org/what-is-angelman-syndrome/diagnosis/
    Diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome (AS) usually occurs somewhere between 9 months and 6 years, the current average is approx. 18 months. In most cases, tests are carried out due to missed developmental milestones, although early onset of seizures or other medical complications can lead to an earlier diagnosis. […] A suspected diagnosis of AS can usually be confirmed with a blood test. These tests look for: […] This test, known as a DNA methylation test, screens for some of the known genetic abnormalities that cause AS. […] A chromosomal microarray (CMA) can show if portions of chromosomes are missing. […] If the results from a DNA methylation test are normal, a UBE3A gene sequencing test may be required to look for a maternal mutation.
  • #1 Confidence in biological medicines
    https://nibsc.org/science_and_research/advanced_therapies/genomic_reference_materials/prader_willi_and_angelman_(who).aspx
    Prader Willi (PWS; OMIM #176270) and Angelman (AS; OMIM #105830) syndromes are clinically distinct genetic disorders, both mapping to chromosome region 15q11-q13. […] AS is characterised by severe mental retardation, microcephaly, seizures, characteristic abnormal behaviours including apparent happy demeanour and hand-flapping movements facial appearance and severe speech limitations. Delayed onset of specific features means that clinical diagnosis is difficult in the first two to three years of life. […] Genetic testing for PWS and AS has become the standard diagnostic method since clinical criteria, though defined, are not always specific. […] There are several testing methods for the cytogenetic or molecular diagnosis of PWS and AS, the most common being DNA-based methylation testing for abnormal methylation in the chromosome 15q11-q13 region. This method will detect more than 99% of PWS individuals and approximately 80% of AS individuals. Sequence analysis of the UBE3A gene will detect a further approximate 10% of individuals with AS.
  • #1 Angelman syndrome in Poland: current diagnosis and therapy status—the caregiver perspective: a questionnaire study | Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases | Full Text
    https://ojrd.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13023-024-03292-w
    Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disease caused by imprinting disorders that impede the production of the ubiquitin E3A ligase protein (UBE3A). To date, no study has been conducted in the Polish population to verify the condition’s diagnosis and treatment process. […] 80% of patients were diagnosed with deletion, 19.9% with a mutation of UBE3A gene, 4.3% with paternal uniparental disomy (UPD) and 2.8% with an imprinting defect. The mean age of first symptoms was 5 months, while the mean age of diagnosis was 29 months (earliest in deletion group at 23 months), and the median duration of diagnosis process was 7 months. […] 37.9% of the patients initially received a different diagnosis. […] The care of patients with AS in Poland is carried out according to the European and world standards, however there is an impeded access to clinical geneticist, and the knowledge about rare diseases among primary healthcare physicians could be improved.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome – GeneReviews® – NCBI Bookshelf
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1144/
    Consensus criteria for the clinical diagnosis of Angelman syndrome (AS) have been developed in conjunction with the Scientific Advisory Committee of the US Angelman Syndrome Foundation. […] AS should be suspected in individuals with the following clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings. […] The clinical diagnosis of AS can be established in a proband based on clinical diagnostic criteria or the molecular diagnosis can be established in a proband with suggestive findings and findings on molecular genetic testing that suggest deficient expression or function of the maternally inherited UBE3A allele. […] The diagnosis of AS is established in a proband with suggestive findings who has one of the following on molecular genetic testing: Abnormal methylation at 15q11.2-q13 due to one of the following: Deletion of the maternally inherited 15q11.2-q13 region (which includes UBE3A), Uniparental disomy (UPD) of the paternal chromosome region 15q11.2-q13, An imprinting defect of the maternal chromosome 15q11.2-q13 region. […] Molecular genetic testing approaches to establish the diagnosis can be based on either the clinical findings or the laboratory findings that suggested the diagnosis of AS.
  • #1 Diagnostic Approach of Angelman Syndrome
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3968465/
    The consensus criteria for the diagnosis of AS are a summary of the developmental and physical findings according to their frequencies in the syndrome. Not all of the characteristics have to be present for the diagnosis. […] The most consistent clinical feature is the behavioral one and a wide index of clinical suspicion for the behavioral phenotype should be made. […] The three categories of the consensus criteria comprise consistent features in 100 per cent of patients, frequent features in over 80 per cent of patients and associated features in 20 to 80 per cent of patients. […] The review of the 15 patients with AS showed that each consistent feature of AS, implementing developmental delay, speech impairment, a movement disorder or behavioral abnormalities were present in each patient.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome – Angelman Syndrome Ireland
    https://www.angelman.ie/angelman-syndrome-causes/
    Since Angelman Syndrome (AS) can arise from different genetic mechanisms, multiple testing methods are required to confirm a diagnosis. No single test can diagnose or rule out all forms of AS, so a combination of genetic tests is typically performed based on clinical suspicion and initial findings. If AS is strongly suspected but not confirmed through first line testing, additional specialized genetic tests may be necessary. […] To confirm a diagnosis of Angelman syndrome, your child’s doctor will perform a combination of genetic tests that can include the following: […] Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) is a high-resolution whole-genome screening test, which detects small genetic alterations that are too small to be identified by conventional karyotyping or FISH. […] CMA is the preferred first-line test for detecting the characteristic 15q11.2-q13 deletion seen in approximately 70% of AS cases.
  • #1 Clinical and genetic aspects of Angelman syndrome | Genetics in Medicine
    https://www.nature.com/articles/gim201062
    Angelman syndrome is characterized by severe developmental delay, speech impairment, gait ataxia and/or tremulousness of the limbs, and a unique behavioral phenotype that includes happy demeanor and excessive laughter. […] The diagnosis rests on a combination of clinical criteria and molecular and/or cytogenetic testing. […] The diagnosis is usually first suspected on the basis of the behavioral phenotype, particularly combinations of movement disorder, absent speech, and happy demeanor. […] Several diagnostic genetic tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. […] DNA methylation analysis identifies approximately 80% of individuals with AS and is typically the first test ordered. If the DNA methylation analysis is abnormal, the next step is FISH or array CGH analysis. […] If DNA methylation is normal, UBE3A sequence analysis is the next appropriate diagnostic test.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome Testing Explained
    https://cureangelman.org/testing-101
    Welcome to Genetic Testing 101. This page explains the genetic testing used to diagnose Angelman syndrome. The explanations included here are detailed. […] Angelman syndrome (AS) is always caused by a lack of functional UBE3A protein in the brain. Because there are different genetic causes, also called genotypes, for the lack of UBE3A protein, testing for AS can be very complicated! It can be frustrating and overwhelming, as it can take multiple tests and many months to get to the diagnosis and genotype. […] In some instances, health care providers have a strong suspicion that an individual is living with AS, so that provider may recommend genetic testing specifically for AS. […] Diagnostic testing for Angelman syndrome (when AS is strongly suspected). […] DNA Methylation testing is often the first step in genetic testing for Angelman syndrome. This test confirms the diagnosis of AS but does not determine the genotype.
  • #1 Angelman’s Syndrome: Symptoms and Treatment | Doctor
    https://patient.info/doctor/angelmans-syndrome
    Diagnosis is commonly made at age 3-7 years, when the clinical features and behaviours become apparent. […] In the presence of normal chemical, haematological, metabolic tests and normal brain imaging, high-resolution chromosome analysis, including material from both parents, is undertaken. […] Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) is able to detect 80-85% of all deletions. […] DNA methylation testing increases pick-up rate. […] A multidisciplinary approach and consensus statement to establish standards of care for Angelman syndrome. […] Angelman syndrome 2005: updated consensus for diagnostic criteria.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome: Pediatric Primary Care Guide – Topical Reviews in Pediatrics
    https://trip.utah.edu/angelman-syndrome-pediatric-primary-care-guide/
    If characteristic features are found, consider genetic testing. Genetic testing approaches are described below in the Genetic Testing section. […] DNA methylation analysis identifies approximately 85% of individuals with Angelman syndrome, including microdeletions of the AS/Prader-Willi syndrome critical region in 68%, paternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 15 in 5-10%, and imprinting defects in 5-10%. […] If this test is negative, yet Angelman syndrome is still highly suspected, UBE3A sequence analysis should be ordered. If negative, its highly recommended to proceed with more comprehensive genetic testing since there are many conditions with overlapping phenotypes, such as Phelan-McDermid, Christianson syndrome, Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, Kleefstra, and others. […] The typical abnormalities involve generalized changes with areas of high-amplitude delta activity alternating with spike and slow-wave activity.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome Testing Explained
    https://cureangelman.org/testing-101
    If an individual is suspected to be living with AS, the first test that is typically performed is to look at the methylation on chromosome 15 in the region of the UBE3A gene. […] If the methylation pattern confirms the diagnosis of AS, the next step is to determine the genetic cause, also called the genotype. […] Mutation AS cannot be identified on DNA methylation testing, because individuals living with Mutation AS have typical maternal and paternal methylation. Instead, they have a difference within the sequence of the UBE3A gene, which requires a different type of genetic testing called sequencing to identify. […] Because deletions are the most common cause of AS, testing for a deletion is typically performed next. […] If methylation is consistent with AS and deletion testing does not show a chromosome 15q11.2-13 deletion, the next step is often to check for UPD.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome | Genetic Disorder | ForPatients by Roche
    https://forpatients.roche.com/en/trials/neurodevelopmental-disorder/angelman-syndrome.html
    Chromosomal microarray analysis: detects the number of copies of a specific region on the chromosome. This helps to determine any deleted or extra genetic material (can identify deletion AS and determine UPD). […] Whole exome sequencing: This genetic testing is able to detect rare variants of Angelman syndrome, which cannot be seen with other techniques. This test is the only way to find UBE3A mutations.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome – Angelman Syndrome Ireland
    https://www.angelman.ie/angelman-syndrome-causes/
    ICD Deletion Testing: This test is typically performed when an individual has methylation testing consistent with AS but does not have a 15q11.2-13 deletion or UPD. […] Whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) are used when a diagnosis is unclear or when a healthcare provider is considering multiple genetic conditions.
  • #1 Orphanet: Angelman syndrome
    https://www.orpha.net/en/disease/detail/72
    Diagnosis is based on clinical and EEG findings, and can be confirmed in most cases by cytogenetic and molecular testing. The typical EEG pattern can be helpful for diagnosis. […] Differential diagnosis includes hypsarrhythmia in West syndrome or the petit mal variant pattern in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Other differential diagnoses include Rett syndrome, Mowat-Wilson syndrome, X-linked alpha-thalassemia-intellectual deficit syndrome (ATR-X), and 22q13 deletion syndrome.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine
    https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/angelman-syndrome
    DNA marker analysis for UPD. If a FISH or array CGH test is negative, DNA marker analysis is done to determine whether UPD is present. It can determine if an individual has inherited two copies of chromosome 15 from their father. If the DNA marker test does not show that UPD is present, then it is likely that an imprinting defect is the cause of Angelman syndrome. Additional tests can confirm the presence of an imprinting defect. […] DNA mutation analysis. If the DNA methylation analysis is negative (i.e., no abnormality is detected), but the doctor still suspects Angelman syndrome, a DNA sequencing analysis may be done to determine whether there is a mutation in the UBE3A gene that could cause the condition. […] An electroencephalogram (EEG), a test that measures the brains electrical activity, may also be performed to help diagnose Angelman syndrome. During an EEG, several electrodes are placed on the patients head. The electrodes are connected to a machine that records and displays electrical signals as patterns. People with Angelman syndrome have a characteristic pattern of electrical activity that can aid in diagnosis. […] The doctor may also order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain to help make the diagnosis. Typically, the brain structure is normal, though the MRI or CT may show mild shrinkage of the cortex or other abnormalities.
  • #1 Diagnosis of Angelman SyndromeEnvelope icon
    https://angelmansyndromenews.com/diagnosis-of-angelman-syndrome/
    A positive DNA methylation test can identify about 80% of Angelman patients. […] If the DNA methylation test is positive but the FISH test is negative, a physician likely will request a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. […] A PCR assay also can identify small mutations or deletions in the child’s maternal chromosome 15, called imprinting center defects, which also would cause Angelman syndrome. […] Although rare, Angelman syndrome can be caused by an active UBE3A gene with an error in the DNA sequence. […] A variety of other clinical tests can aid in the diagnosis of Angelman syndrome, and can be useful for differential diagnosis — that is, distinguishing between Angelman syndrome and other conditions that may appear similar. […] An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures electrical patterns in the brain.
  • #1 Diagnosis of Angelman SyndromeEnvelope icon
    https://angelmansyndromenews.com/diagnosis-of-angelman-syndrome/
    Angelman patients have several distinct patterns that are visible using this test, and doctors can use the EEG result to distinguish Angelman syndrome from other diseases. […] Magnetic resonance imaging can be used to visualize the brain. […] A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that can be used to visualize tissue and organ function. […] A computerized tomography (CT) scan uses a number of X-ray images, taken in a series, to build a cross-sectional model of bones and tissues. CT scans often are used early in efforts to diagnose Angelman syndrome.
  • #1 Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis for Angelman SyndromeEnvelope icon
    https://angelmansyndromenews.com/health-insights/prenatal-genetic-diagnosis-angelman-syndrome/
    If you have a family history of Angelman syndrome and are expecting, you may want to consider prenatal genetic diagnosis. […] Prenatal genetic diagnosis means determining, before birth, whether your baby has a genetic disease such as Angelman syndrome. […] However, for diseases like Angelman syndrome, a genetic test may be necessary to diagnose your baby before birth. […] Amniocentesis involves taking a sample of the amniotic fluid, which is the liquid surrounding the fetus that contains cells from the developing baby. Clinicians can use this to test for Angelman syndrome or other genetic disorders. […] Both of these causes of Angelman syndrome are detectable by genetic testing. […] If you are concerned, you should discuss what genetic tests may be needed with your doctor and genetic counselor. […] About 10% of Angelman syndrome cases have no known genetic cause. Prenatal genetic testing would not detect these cases.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17978-angelman-syndrome
    The characteristic symptoms of Angelman syndrome aren’t usually apparent at birth. Healthcare providers typically diagnose it in children between one and four years of age. But providers can sometimes identify the condition during pregnancy. […] Noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) may diagnose Angelman syndrome before birth. NIPS is a method of determining the risk that your baby will be born with certain genetic conditions. This testing analyzes small fragments of DNA that are circulating in a pregnant persons blood. […] Your provider will usually diagnose Angelman syndrome if your child misses developmental milestones for their age. Examples of missed developmental milestones include not saying their first words or not taking their first steps as expected. Your childs provider will also look for common symptoms or characteristics of the condition.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome Testing Explained
    https://cureangelman.org/testing-101
    Approximately 10% of individuals who meet all the diagnostic criteria for AS this means that they have all of the key characteristics have complete AS genetic testing, including methylation and UBE3A sequencing, but no cause for the characteristics can be identified. […] Newborn screening (NBS) does not currently screen for AS. […] Specific testing for AS can be performed on the samples obtained from amniocentesis and CVS, but it is a separate test from the chromosome analysis and it is only performed if there is a specific concern, like a family history or elevated risk. […] Current versions of NIPS can NOT detect Mutation, UPD, or ICD AS, so if you have a family history of Mutation AS or ICD Deletion AS, NIPS will NOT be helpful.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17978-angelman-syndrome
    Testing confirms a diagnosis. Your childs provider may offer genetic testing that identifies changes to the UBE3A gene. Other types of tests may be necessary to rule out conditions with similar symptoms. […] In some cases, a misdiagnosis is possible because Angelman syndrome symptoms closely resemble those of other conditions like: Autism spectrum disorder, Cerebral palsy, Christianson syndrome, Mowat-Wilson syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome. Genetic testing and other types of testing are very important to make an accurate diagnosis.
  • #1 Angelman syndrome: review of clinical and molecular aspects | TACG
    https://www.dovepress.com/angelman-syndrome-review-of-clinical-and-molecular-aspects-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-TACG
    Patients with an AS phenotype in whom testing returns normal should be considered for an alternative diagnosis, such as Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, Mowat-Wilson syndrome, Kleefstra syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Koolen-de Vries syndrome, Christianson syndrome, and MBD5 haploinsufficiency. […] Recurrence risk for AS due to microdeletion or UPD is negligible, whereas UBE3A mutations and imprinting defects can have a 50% risk for recurrence if the mother is found to carry the mutation on her paternally inherited chromosome 15.
  • #1 Angelman syndrome in Poland: current diagnosis and therapy status—the caregiver perspective: a questionnaire study | Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases | Full Text
    https://ojrd.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13023-024-03292-w
    Early diagnosis of AS is crucial for improving the prognosis and achieving satisfactory treatment outcomes for patients. It is important that a correct diagnosis of AS is not preceded by another diagnosis. Unfortunately, this was quite frequently the case in the presented study group. […] The vast majority of patients have epileptic seizures, with the earliest appearance at 27 months in patients with disease caused by deletion. […] The basic characteristics of AS should be more widely disseminated among pediatricians and other health care professionals in order to improve standards regarding the diagnosis and treatment process, as well as the quality of life of patients and their families. […] Specialist care for patients with AS in Poland does not differ significantly from European and world standards, with the main difference being access to specialists in clinical genetics and the verification of who requires specialist genetic diagnostics.
  • #1 Testing and Diagnosis – Angelman Syndrome Foundation
    https://www.angelman.org/what-is-as/testing-and-diagnosis/
    Due to common characteristics that AS shares with other disorders (developmental delays, motor issues, and lack of cooing, babbling or speech), 50% of individuals with Angelman syndrome are originally misdiagnosed. Late or misdiagnosis may cause individuals to lose opportunities for early intervention programs, resources, personalized support or life-changing treatments. […] Testing and diagnosis of AS is done through a medical doctor. To find a clinician in your area to perform genetic testing, see the Genetic Testing Registry or contact the ASF. […] After receiving a diagnosis of Angelman syndrome, many parents are overwhelmed by the fact that they know nothing about the syndrome and the road ahead. […] If your child was recently diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, see the Newly Diagnosed page and fill out the form today.
  • #1 Angelman syndrome
    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/angelman-syndrome/
    Angelman syndrome may be suspected if a child’s development is delayed and they have the syndrome’s distinctive characteristics. […] A blood test is used to confirm the diagnosis. Several genetic tests will be done on the blood sample. These tests look for: any chromosomes or pieces of chromosomes that are missing, changes in the mother’s or father’s UBE3A gene that they may have passed on, changes in the child’s UBE3A gene that would stop it from working. […] For each child with Angelman syndrome, it’s important to know the genetic change that caused the condition. This helps to determine your chance of having another child with Angelman syndrome. […] Most children with Angelman syndrome are diagnosed between the ages of 9 months to 6 years, when physical and behavioural symptoms become apparent. […] If your child is diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, you will be able to talk to a genetic doctor about what support they might need.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome: Pediatric Primary Care Guide – Topical Reviews in Pediatrics
    https://trip.utah.edu/angelman-syndrome-pediatric-primary-care-guide/
    Angelman syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes severe developmental delay, intellectual disability, and a distinctive and recognizable pattern of behaviors, including frequent smiling, laughing, and hyperactivity. […] The diagnosis of Angelman syndrome is based on clinical features and genetic testing, which confirms the diagnosis of individuals with the typical phenotype. […] Consider beginning with methylation studies (detects approximately 85% of individuals with Angelman syndrome, including those with a deletion, uniparental disomy (UPD), or an imprinting defect). If methylation studies are normal, proceed with UBE3A sequence analysis (detects an additional 11% of individuals with Angelman syndrome). […] Initial diagnosis is based on clinical features and confirmatory molecular genetic testing or UBE3A sequence analysis. Approximately 10% of children who clinically appear to have Angelman syndrome have negative genetic testing and previously were given a clinical diagnosis.
  • #1 Angelman Syndrome Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide | Brighter Strides ABA
    https://www.brighterstridesaba.com/blog/angelman-syndrome
    In some cases, the symptoms of Angelman syndrome may overlap with other neurodevelopmental disorders. Differential diagnosis is a process used to distinguish Angelman syndrome from similar conditions. It involves carefully evaluating the individual’s clinical features, medical history, and the results of genetic testing to rule out other potential causes of the symptoms. […] A correct diagnosis of Angelman syndrome is vital for understanding the condition and providing appropriate medical interventions, therapies, and support. Genetic testing, along with the process of differential diagnosis, plays a crucial role in identifying and confirming the presence of Angelman syndrome, enabling individuals and their families to access the necessary resources and support for managing the condition.
  • #2 Diagnostic Approach of Angelman Syndrome
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3968465/
    Angelman syndrome (AS) is a genetic condition, characterized by severe mental retardation, ataxic gait, severe speech delay, dysmorphic features, abnormal behaviour, movement disorder. It is caused by a variety of genetic mechanisms which all interfere with expression of the UBE3A gene on chromosome 15q11-13. […] To present our experience regarding diagnosis of children with Angelman syndrome. […] In all cases, diagnosis of AS was made by the clinical criteria. The clinical evaluation focused on the patient history, a general examination, dysmorphological evaluation, a neurological examination, psychological evaluation, and paraclinical tests. […] There are some characteristic facial features, which, in association with hypopigmentation, happy disposition, jerky movements, and ataxia in a child with psychomotor delay should raise the strong suspicion of AS.
  • #2 Angelman syndrome – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/angelman-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355621
    Most babies with Angelman syndrome don’t show symptoms at birth. The first signs of Angelman syndrome most often are developmental delays. This includes lack of crawling or babbling between 6 and 12 months. […] If your child seems to have developmental delays or if your child has other symptoms of Angelman syndrome, make an appointment with your child’s healthcare professional. […] Angelman syndrome is caused by changes in a gene, called a genetic change. It’s most often caused by changes in a gene on chromosome 15 called the ubiquitin protein ligase E3A (UBE3A) gene. […] Diagnosis treatment
  • #2 Angelman syndrome
    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/angelman-syndrome/
    Angelman syndrome may be suspected if a child’s development is delayed and they have the syndrome’s distinctive characteristics. […] A blood test is used to confirm the diagnosis. Several genetic tests will be done on the blood sample. These tests look for: any chromosomes or pieces of chromosomes that are missing, changes in the mother’s or father’s UBE3A gene that they may have passed on, changes in the child’s UBE3A gene that would stop it from working. […] For each child with Angelman syndrome, it’s important to know the genetic change that caused the condition. This helps to determine your chance of having another child with Angelman syndrome. […] Most children with Angelman syndrome are diagnosed between the ages of 9 months to 6 years, when physical and behavioural symptoms become apparent. […] If your child is diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, you will be able to talk to a genetic doctor about what support they might need.
  • #2 Angelman syndrome – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelman_syndrome
    Diagnosis is based on symptoms and possibly genetic testing. […] The diagnosis of Angelman syndrome is based on: A history of delayed motor milestones and then later a delay in general development, especially of speech. […] A deletion or inactivity on chromosome 15 by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) or by BACs-on-Beads technology. […] Diagnostic criteria for the disorder were initially established in 1995 in collaboration with the Angelman syndrome Foundation (US); these criteria underwent revision in 2005. […] Seizures are a consequence, as is excessive laughter, which is a major hindrance to early diagnosis.
  • #2 Diagnostic Approach of Angelman Syndrome
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3968465/
    The consensus criteria for the diagnosis of AS are a summary of the developmental and physical findings according to their frequencies in the syndrome. Not all of the characteristics have to be present for the diagnosis. […] The most consistent clinical feature is the behavioral one and a wide index of clinical suspicion for the behavioral phenotype should be made. […] The three categories of the consensus criteria comprise consistent features in 100 per cent of patients, frequent features in over 80 per cent of patients and associated features in 20 to 80 per cent of patients. […] The review of the 15 patients with AS showed that each consistent feature of AS, implementing developmental delay, speech impairment, a movement disorder or behavioral abnormalities were present in each patient.
  • #2 Diagnosis in Angelman Syndrome
    https://findresources.co.uk/the-syndromes/angelman/diagnosis
    The syndrome can be diagnosed clinically by observing distinctive facial and other physical and neurological characteristics that are common in Angelman syndrome. […] Often a child can develop seizures which may alert professionals to consider a diagnosis of Angelman syndrome. For others, delayed development may initially alert carers to seek advice from a professional. […] A professional will look at the developmental history, physical and behavioural characteristics of a child and from this information determine whether the child has a clinical diagnosis of Angelman syndrome. […] A clinical diagnosis can be given by paediatrician, GP or a clinical geneticist. However, a clinical diagnosis will only be made if a genetic diagnosis cannot be established. […] Diagnosis is mainly made on the basis of genetic testing. Someone with a genetic diagnosis will have had a genetic test. This involves taking a sample of blood or saliva and sending it to be tested for one of the genetic changes known to cause Angelman syndrome on chromosome 15.
  • #2 Angelman Syndrome Testing Explained
    https://cureangelman.org/testing-101
    If an individual is suspected to be living with AS, the first test that is typically performed is to look at the methylation on chromosome 15 in the region of the UBE3A gene. […] If the methylation pattern confirms the diagnosis of AS, the next step is to determine the genetic cause, also called the genotype. […] Mutation AS cannot be identified on DNA methylation testing, because individuals living with Mutation AS have typical maternal and paternal methylation. Instead, they have a difference within the sequence of the UBE3A gene, which requires a different type of genetic testing called sequencing to identify. […] Because deletions are the most common cause of AS, testing for a deletion is typically performed next. […] If methylation is consistent with AS and deletion testing does not show a chromosome 15q11.2-13 deletion, the next step is often to check for UPD.
  • #2 Angelman Syndrome > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine
    https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/angelman-syndrome
    One or more genetic tests may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. These tests require a blood sample. […] DNA methylation analysis. This is usually the first test done when Angelman syndrome is suspected. DNA methylation analysis can detect chromosomal deletion, UPD, and imprinting defects. Angelman syndrome is diagnosed if this test detects an abnormality. DNA methylation analysis, however, cannot identify which of these three mechanisms is present. Because of this, additional genetic tests are done to determine the genetic cause of the condition. DNA methylation analysis detects about 80% of people with Angelman syndrome. […] Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH). These tests, which detect deletions in chromosome 15, are performed if the DNA methylation analysis detects an abnormality. A positive result means there is a deletion in chromosome 15. However, if these tests do not identify a chromosomal deletion, additional tests are necessary to check for UPD or other causes of Angelman syndrome.
  • #2 Angelman Syndrome > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine
    https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/angelman-syndrome
    DNA marker analysis for UPD. If a FISH or array CGH test is negative, DNA marker analysis is done to determine whether UPD is present. It can determine if an individual has inherited two copies of chromosome 15 from their father. If the DNA marker test does not show that UPD is present, then it is likely that an imprinting defect is the cause of Angelman syndrome. Additional tests can confirm the presence of an imprinting defect. […] DNA mutation analysis. If the DNA methylation analysis is negative (i.e., no abnormality is detected), but the doctor still suspects Angelman syndrome, a DNA sequencing analysis may be done to determine whether there is a mutation in the UBE3A gene that could cause the condition. […] An electroencephalogram (EEG), a test that measures the brains electrical activity, may also be performed to help diagnose Angelman syndrome. During an EEG, several electrodes are placed on the patients head. The electrodes are connected to a machine that records and displays electrical signals as patterns. People with Angelman syndrome have a characteristic pattern of electrical activity that can aid in diagnosis. […] The doctor may also order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain to help make the diagnosis. Typically, the brain structure is normal, though the MRI or CT may show mild shrinkage of the cortex or other abnormalities.
  • #2 Angelman Syndrome Testing Explained
    https://cureangelman.org/testing-101
    When the methylation is consistent with AS and deletion and UPD testing do not show the cause of AS, an individual is assumed to have an Imprinting Center defect (ICD). […] If the DNA methylation studies do not show an AS pattern and AS is still suspected, UBE3A sequencing is typically performed. […] A pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in UBE3A confirms the diagnosis of AS. This is often referred to as Mutation AS. […] Once the AS genotype is confirmed, genetic testing for parents is often suggested. […] Each genetic test has a different methodology, sometimes even from one laboratory to another, and each method has limitations, so it is difficult to give an exact percentage of accuracy. Overall, genetic testing is very accurate. If genetic testing confirms the diagnosis of AS, it would be very, very rare for that diagnosis to be incorrect.
  • #2 Diagnosis of Angelman SyndromeEnvelope icon
    https://angelmansyndromenews.com/diagnosis-of-angelman-syndrome/
    Angelman patients have several distinct patterns that are visible using this test, and doctors can use the EEG result to distinguish Angelman syndrome from other diseases. […] Magnetic resonance imaging can be used to visualize the brain. […] A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that can be used to visualize tissue and organ function. […] A computerized tomography (CT) scan uses a number of X-ray images, taken in a series, to build a cross-sectional model of bones and tissues. CT scans often are used early in efforts to diagnose Angelman syndrome.
  • #2 Common Angelman Syndrome Misdiagnoses
    https://cureangelman.org/angelman-syndrome-misdiagnosis
    Angelman syndrome (AS) is commonly diagnosed at one to two years of age. […] As children grow and exhibit AS-specific traits such as balance difficulties, frequent laughing, and speech problems, genetic testing is often performed to confirm the diagnosis. […] Unlike some conditions that are diagnosed through clinical observations, AS is typically confirmed through genetic testing using a blood or saliva sample. Genetic testing for AS can identify a clear genetic difference in most people living with AS, ensuring an accurate diagnosis and preventing prolonged misdiagnoses. […] Yes. Autism is typically diagnosed around 2 or 3 years of age, and at that time, most individuals living with AS have more AS-specific symptoms. However, sometimes a person living with AS may be diagnosed with autism first, usually because that individual has speech and social delays as the primary early symptoms.
  • #2 Angelman Syndrome: Pediatric Primary Care Guide – Topical Reviews in Pediatrics
    https://trip.utah.edu/angelman-syndrome-pediatric-primary-care-guide/
    If characteristic features are found, consider genetic testing. Genetic testing approaches are described below in the Genetic Testing section. […] DNA methylation analysis identifies approximately 85% of individuals with Angelman syndrome, including microdeletions of the AS/Prader-Willi syndrome critical region in 68%, paternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 15 in 5-10%, and imprinting defects in 5-10%. […] If this test is negative, yet Angelman syndrome is still highly suspected, UBE3A sequence analysis should be ordered. If negative, its highly recommended to proceed with more comprehensive genetic testing since there are many conditions with overlapping phenotypes, such as Phelan-McDermid, Christianson syndrome, Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, Kleefstra, and others. […] The typical abnormalities involve generalized changes with areas of high-amplitude delta activity alternating with spike and slow-wave activity.
  • #2 Angelman syndrome in Poland: current diagnosis and therapy status—the caregiver perspective: a questionnaire study | Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases | Full Text
    https://ojrd.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13023-024-03292-w
    The main aim of the study was to determine which recommendations have actually been implemented into everyday practice and are used in the diagnosis and treatment of the Polish population of patients with AS. […] The survey also included open questions for caregivers, such as: „What do you consider to be the biggest problem in the diagnosis of Angelman syndrome in Poland?”. 64.3% (n=45) of respondents indicated that the biggest problem is finding the right specialist to notice abnormalities and refer the child for detailed genetic tests. […] Although genetic diagnostics in Poland is available at an advanced level, unfortunately, this access is hampered by the lack of reimbursement for some genetic tests, especially broad-spectrum tests, and the lack of publicly available information on the location of reference genetic laboratories.
  • #2 Clinical and genetic aspects of Angelman syndrome | Genetics in Medicine
    https://www.nature.com/articles/gim201062
    Angelman syndrome is characterized by severe developmental delay, speech impairment, gait ataxia and/or tremulousness of the limbs, and a unique behavioral phenotype that includes happy demeanor and excessive laughter. […] The diagnosis rests on a combination of clinical criteria and molecular and/or cytogenetic testing. […] The diagnosis is usually first suspected on the basis of the behavioral phenotype, particularly combinations of movement disorder, absent speech, and happy demeanor. […] Several diagnostic genetic tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. […] DNA methylation analysis identifies approximately 80% of individuals with AS and is typically the first test ordered. If the DNA methylation analysis is abnormal, the next step is FISH or array CGH analysis. […] If DNA methylation is normal, UBE3A sequence analysis is the next appropriate diagnostic test.
  • #2 Angelman Syndrome – GeneReviews® – NCBI Bookshelf
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1144/
    Angelman syndrome (AS) is characterized by severe developmental delay or intellectual disability, severe speech impairment, gait ataxia and/or tremulousness of the limbs, and unique behavior with an apparent happy demeanor that includes frequent laughing, smiling, and excitability. […] The diagnosis of AS is established in a proband who meets the consensus clinical diagnostic criteria and/or who has findings on molecular genetic testing that suggest deficient expression or function of the maternally inherited UBE3A allele. Analysis of parent-specific DNA methylation imprints in the 15q11.2-q13 chromosome region detects approximately 80% of individuals with AS, including those with a deletion, uniparental disomy, or an imprinting defect; fewer than 1% of individuals have a cytogenetically visible chromosome rearrangement (e.g., translocation or inversion). UBE3A sequence analysis detects pathogenic variants in an additional approximately 11% of individuals. Therefore, molecular genetic testing (methylation analysis and UBE3A sequence analysis) identifies alterations in approximately 90% of individuals. The remaining 10% of individuals with classic phenotypic features of AS have the disorder as a result of an as-yet unidentified genetic mechanism.
  • #3 Diagnostic Approach of Angelman Syndrome
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3968465/
    Each frequent feature of AS was present in the majority of the patients: an abnormal EEG was present in each case; microcephaly was present in 13 out of 15 patients, and 11 cases presented with a seizure disorder. […] According to current literature, associated features in AS patients can vary from 20% to 80%. The case review of the 15 patients with AS showed that a wide mouth with wide spaced teeth was present in 14 patients; hypopigmented skin, light hair and eye color was found in 13 cases; a wide-based gait was observed in 10 children; a flat occiput was present in 9 patients; trunk hypotonia during infancy was also found in 9 cases; sleep disturbances and fascination with water were each presented by 7 children; hyperactive extremity deep tendon reflexes, flexed arm position during ambulation and prognathia was each found in 6 patients; a protruding tongue and excessive mouthing behavior was each observed in 5 cases; frequent drooling and strabismus was each found in 2 patients; feeding problems during infancy and scoliosis was each present in 1 child.