Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is characterized by typical facies, supravalvular aortic stenosis, mental retardation, hyperacusis and behavioral abnormalities with overfriendly personality and anxiety disorders. It is caused by a microdeletion of continuous genes located in 7q11.23 region. We studied 31 WBS patients (19 M and 12 F) whose ages ranged from 9 to 26 years (median 14y). The diagnosis of WBS was confirmed by FISH or microsatellite markers analysis in all patients. The objectives were to evaluate cognitive ability, IQ(Intelligence Quotient) execution, verbal and total, frequency of visual-spatial deficits and autistic traits and compare the results of molecular findings. The tests used were the WISC-III, WAIS-III, Rey Complex Figure and a scale of autistic traits (ATA). The total IQ ranged from 51 to 86 (median 63): 22 with mild intellectual disability, 4 with moderate metal retardation, 4 limitrofe and 1 below the normal mean. All patients had marked visual-spatial deficit. The frequency of autistic traits were found in 13 of 31 patients (41.94%) with a predominance in males (10M:3F). There was no correlation with the incidence of autistic traits in relation to the size of the deletion. Our study reinforces the importance of the systematic assessment of cognitive function in WBS patients, and alerts researchers to the presence of a high frequency of autistic traits found in patients with WBS. These latter data are preliminary and further studies are necessary to confirm this specific finding in WBS patients.

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Síndrome de Williams-Beuren é uma doença de múltiplos órgãos causada por microdeleção de 25 genes no cromossomo 7 (q11.23), sugerindo uma vulnerabilidade ao estresse. Objetivamos determinar se crianças e adolescentes com síndrome de Williams-Beuren apresentam níveis elevados de estresse. Avaliamos 40 indivíduos em idade escolar, com diagnóstico de síndrome de Williams-Beuren e grupo controle. Os instrumentos utilizados: Escala de Estresse Infantil (ESI), Escala de Inteligência para Crianças (WISC), Escala de Inteligência para Adultos (WAIS) e um questionário semiestruturado. No grupo com o SWB, 50% tinham altos níveis de estresse em comparação com 28,6% no grupo controle, diferença altamente significativa estatisticamente (p <0,001). De escola de inclusão, 40,7% apresentaram maior estresse; de escola especial, 69,2% (p> 0,140). Indivíduos com síndrome de Williams mostram índice elevado de estresse. Este estudo destaca a necessidade de orientação sobre a síndrome a pais e gestão escolar, com foco na redução de possíveis fatores ambientais estressantes.

a b s t r a c tThe Williams-Beuren syndrome (SWB), also known as Williams syndrome, is a contiguous gene deletion of the region 7q.11.23. The main clinical characteristics are typical faces, supravalvular aortic stenosis, failure to thrive, short stature, transient neonatal hypercalcemia, delayed language, friendly personality, hyperacusis and intellectual disability. The diagnosis of SWB is confirmed by the detection of micro deletion by different techniques of molecular cytogenetics, FISH, MLPA or polymorphic markers. This study assessed the verbal intelligence quotient (Iq) and performance and visuospatial skills in children and adults with WBS. The composed group was of 31 WBS patients (19 M and 12 F), whose ages ranged from 9 to 26 years (M 14.45 y). All patients had the diagnosis confirmed molecularly. The tests used were the WISC-III, WAIS-III and Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test. The results indicated a total Iq ranged from 51 to 86 (M 63): 22 with mild intellectual disability, 4 with moderate intellectual disability, 4 borderlines and 1 below the normal media. All patients had marked visual-spatial deficits. The results suggest nonverbal reasoning, visuo-spatial perception, spatial representation, working memory, motor planning and executive functions are very affected in this group.

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