What does stickler syndrome look like?

Children who have Stickler syndrome often have distinctive facial features — prominent eyes, a small nose with a scooped-out facial appearance and a receding chin. They are often born with an opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate).

What is the life expectancy of Stickler syndrome?

Stickler syndrome has no cure, but it does not affect life expectancy. With ongoing treatment and support, many people with Stickler syndrome live active and fulfilling lives. Prompt diagnosis is important so a doctor can repair abnormalities and help prevent complications.

What is it like to have Stickler syndrome?

Stickler syndrome is characterized by the following clinical features: vitreoretinal degeneration, myopia, cataracts, retinal holes and detachments, sensorineural hearing loss, a characteristic facial appearance with mid-facial flatness, small chin, long upper lip (philtrum), palatal abnormalities, including cleft …

What are the chances of getting Stickler syndrome?

A: Stickler syndrome is a fairly common genetic condition, occurring in about one in 7,500 people in the United States and Europe. It’s also frequently misdiagnosed—or even left undiagnosed—because many people have very mild cases.

How do you test for Stickler syndrome?

Stickler syndrome is diagnosed with a physical examination, although there is currently no consensus as to the diagnostic criteria. The diagnosis can be confirmed by testing for mutations within genes called COL2A1, COL11A1 and COL11A2 for cases of autosomal dominant types of Stickler syndrome.

Does Stickler syndrome get worse with age?

Features even vary among affected members of the same family. In some cases, a person may have multiple features, but only one problem is severe enough to be diagnosed. Stickler syndrome is also a progressive disorder, therefore, the symptoms are likely to worsen with age.

Is Stickler syndrome a disability?

If you or your dependent(s) are diagnosed with Stickler Syndrome and experience any of these symptoms, you may be eligible for disability benefits from the U.S. Social Security Administration.

Can Stickler syndrome be cured?

While there is no cure for Stickler syndrome, treatments can help control symptoms and prevent complications. In some cases, surgery may be needed to correct some of the physical abnormalities associated with Stickler syndrome.

Can Stickler syndrome skip a generation?

Unlike some genetic syndromes, a person will not have a “carrier” gene for this disorder that can be passed on to the next generation without the parent having Stickler syndrome themselves.

Does Stickler syndrome affect the heart?

Heart conditions— About 50 percent of kids with Stickler syndrome have a defect in which a valve in the heart doesn’t function properly (mitral valve prolapse). Symptoms vary, but can include feelings of fatigue or an elevated heartbeat, some children with mitral valve prolapse have no symptoms at all.


What is Larsen syndrome?

Larsen syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that has been associated with a wide variety of different symptoms. Characteristic findings of the disorder include dislocations of the large joints, skeletal malformations, and distinctive facial and limb features.

What’s Marshall syndrome?

Marshall syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by mutations in the COL11A1 gene. Major symptoms may include a distinctive face with a flattened nasal bridge and nostrils that are tilted upward, widely spaced eyes, nearsightedness, cataracts and hearing loss.

What is Pierre Robin Syndrome?

Pierre Robin sequence is also known as Pierre Robin syndrome or Pierre Robin malformation. It is a rare congenital birth defect characterized by an underdeveloped jaw, backward displacement of the tongue and upper airway obstruction. Cleft palate is also commonly present in children with Pierre Robin sequence.

How many types of Stickler syndrome are there?

There are five types of Stickler syndrome: Stickler syndrome type I, Stickler syndrome type II, Stickler syndrome type III, Stickler syndrome type IV, and Stickler syndrome type V. Individuals with Stickler syndrome type I tend to have milder hearing loss, nearsightedness, and type 1 membranous vitreous anomaly.

How is Stickler syndrome inherited?

Stickler syndrome types I, II, and III are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. In some cases, an affected person inherits a gene mutation from one affected parent . Other cases result from new mutations .