Approximately one out of every 10,000-20,000 children are born with Angelman Syndrome. The symptoms of Angelman Syndrome are caused as a consequence of a genetic chromosomal abnormality which affects elements of the nervous system, especially the brain.
There are many different symptoms of Angelman Syndrome, some of which are usually present and others that are occasionally present.
Angelman Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes severe developmental delays in children. The syndrome was first identified by physician Harry Angelman in 1965 when he performed a study on a group of young children who displayed similar characteristics to one another. The children were reported as having flat heads, uncontrollable bouts of laughter, protruding tongues, and jerky or interrupted movements.
The symptoms of Angelman Syndrome appear early in life. While babies born with the syndrome appear normal at birth, signs of the syndrome begin to manifest as early as one month. The first signs of the syndrome are normally centered on feeding issues and other similar problems. After a few months, parents may begin to notice that their child is not meeting developmental milestones, and by the time the child is one, it is very evident that something is wrong. It is also very common for children with Angelman Syndrome to develop seizures within the first few years of life.