European Consensus recommendations on sleeping problems in Phelan-McDermid syndrome

Early onset sleep problems and disorders are very common in individuals with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS) with rates of up to 90%. These sleep problems and disorders cannot be taken lightly. Not only do they have a major impact on the health, behaviour, functioning and learning opportunities of affected individuals, they can also have detrimental effects on the well-being and resilience of parents and caregivers, ultimately affecting the physical health, mental health and well-being of the whole social system.

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European Consensus recommendations on mental health issues in Phelan-McDermid syndrome

Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a rare genetic condition caused by a deletion encompassing the 22q13.3 region ora pathogenic variant of the gene SHANK3. The clinical presentation is variable, but main characteristics includeglobal developmental delay/intellectual disability (ID), marked speech impairment or delay, along with otherfeatures like hypotonia and somatic or psychiatric comorbidities.

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European Consensus recommendations on lymphedema in Phelan-McDermid syndrome

Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by deletions 22q13.3 or pathogenic variants in the SHANK3 gene. Lymphedema can be a clinical feature in 10-25% of individuals with PMS due to a deletion 22q13.3, but is not observed in those with a SHANK3 variant. This paper forms a part of the European consensus guideline for PMS and focuses on what is known regarding lymphedema in PMS in order to present clinical recommendations.

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European Consensus recommendations on chewing, swallowing and gastrointestinal problems in Phelan-McDermid syndrome

Gastrointestinal (GI) problems are common in Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS). Chewing and swallowing difficulties, dental problems, reflux disease, cyclic vomiting, constipation, incontinence, diarrhoea, and nutritional deficiencies have been most frequently reported.

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Catatonia in neurodevelopmental disorders: assessing catatonic deterioration from baseline

Despite the inclusion of catatonia as a specifier of autism spectrum disorder in DSM-5, we—a team of child and adolescent neuropsychiatrists who specialise in paediatric catatonia and neurodevelopmental disorders—have identified a number of issues with the diagnosis and clinical management of catatonia in our patients.

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Catatonia: A Common Cause of Late Regression in Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficits and restricted interests and behaviors which begin very early in life. In about a quarter of cases, the symptoms emerge about 18–24 months after a period of normal development, a phenomenon commonly described as early regression. However, marked functional decline can also occur in persons with autism after a relatively stable childhood.

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Voice of the Patient Report

This EL-PFDD meeting was modeled after the work of the FDA’s Patient Focused Drug Development (PFDD) initiative. PFDD is a systematic way of gathering patient perspectives on their condition and on available treatments. The information gathered at the meeting is presented in this Voice of the Patient report, a high-level summary of the perspectives generously shared by the families and caregivers of individuals living with PMS, who participated in the November 8, 2022, EL-PFDD meeting. The report also includes selected comments that were submitted through an online portal.

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