Contents
What is Angelman syndrome – a rare genetic disorder that Colin Farrell’s son has been found to suffer from
Hollywood actor Colin Farrell recently opened up about his son James – who was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease Angelman syndrome – in his childhood. The Phonebooth actor revealed that 20-year-old James suffers from a disorder that has affected his nervous system and caused developmental and neurological problems. According to experts, the typical symptoms of Angelman syndrome are usually not apparent at birth and are diagnosed in children between the ages of one and four years. Read on to know more.
48-year-old Colin Farrell has also recently started a foundation to help people suffering from this intellectual disability.
Hollywood actor Colin Farrell has opened up about his personal life, revealing that his son James suffers from Angelman syndrome – a rare condition that affects mental development, speech and balance. The 48-year-old Irish actor has also recently launched a foundation to help people suffering from this intellectual disability.
Farrell met James, who was diagnosed with the condition as a child, through his former partner Kim Bordenave.
What is Angelman syndrome?
Angelman syndrome, also known as AS, is a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system and causes developmental and neurological problems. According to experts, it is caused by a loss of function in the UBE3A gene – which is usually only active from the mother. When the maternal copy of the gene is missing or damaged, the brain is not able to receive the information it needs to develop and control speech and movement.
A person may have symptoms of Angelman syndrome because: UBE3A The genes are inactive or missing — which occurs in about 70 percent of cases. UBE3A It can also result in Angelman syndrome, which accounts for at least 11 percent of cases.
The Cleveland Clinic says that the distinguishing features of Angelman syndrome are:
- developmental delays that are usually noticeable between six and 12 months of age
- intellectual disability
- No speech or limited conversation
- Unable to move and maintain balance
- Recovery
Doctors say babies with Angelman syndrome usually have a cheerful and enthusiastic attitude and often smile, laugh and flap their arms. Angelman syndrome is named after Dr. Harry Angelman, an English physician who first described the condition in the medical literature. The syndrome can develop in any fetus and mostly affects boys.
Signs and symptoms of Angelman syndrome
The symptoms and signs of Angelman syndrome vary from person to person and with age. Most people with this disorder have the following symptoms throughout their lives:
delayed development
Difficulty walking
short and broad skull
abnormally large tongue
abnormally small head
large lower jaw
Hyperactivity and short attention span.
Difficulty sleeping
attraction to water
Doctors say that as they age, people with Angelman syndrome become less agitated, and their sleep problems also improve.
How is Angelman syndrome diagnosed?
According to experts, the symptoms of Angelman syndrome are usually not apparent at birth and are diagnosed in children between the ages of one and four years. However, this varies as Angelman syndrome has a wide range of symptoms and severity.
In some cases, doctors can identify Angelman syndrome through a prenatal ultrasound by looking for signs of fetal developmental problems even before your baby is born. However, current studies have shown that non-invasive prenatal testing is the most accurate in diagnosing Angelman syndrome before birth. NIPS determines whether your baby will be born with certain genetic abnormalities.
Get the latest news on Times Now as well as breaking news and top headlines from across health and the world.
