Physical growth and development characteristics of children with Williams syndrome aged 0-24 months in Zhejiang Province.

Background The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical growth and development characteristics of children with Williams syndrome (WS) aged 0-24 months, and provide help for early diagnosis of WS. Methods A total of 32 cases of children (17 males and 15 females) aged 0-24 months who were diagnosed with WS were enrolled between 2008 and 2017. These children were divided into four different groups: 1-6 months (six cases), 7-12 months (eight cases), 12-18 months (nine cases) and 19-24 months (nine cases). Meanwhile, a total of 32 healthy children (17 males and 15 females) were enrolled in the study from the Department of Health Care for physical examination in our hospital as the control group and matched with each divided group. Weight and height were measured, and meanwhile birth weight and height were also asked and recorded. Results There was no statistically significant difference in birth height between the two groups (p>0.05), and birth weight and the height and weight of the children with WS in the four groups were significantly lower than those of the children in the normal control (NC) group (p>0.05). When the corresponding age of WS children was compared to the Nine City Growth Curve Standards in China, 97% of cases were lagging behind in physical growth and development. Conclusions WS children often have the features of early slow physical growth, which provides certain help for the early diagnosis of WS. Therefore, for younger children, facial features combined with an accurate and objective physical growth assessment and ultrasonic cardiogram can greatly improve the screening rate.