What is it?

DiGeorge Syndrome (DGS) is a genetic disease cause by the deletion of section q11.2 of genes in chromosome 22. It is one of the several presentation of a syndrome called 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. It was discovered in 1968 by a pediatric endocrinologist named Angelo M. DiGeorge.
The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is responsible for many a number of diseases and, in relationship to how much genetic material is lost, it can affect a person in different ways (usually, if more genetic material is lost, the disease will be more severe).

As shown in this picture, the syndrome is caused by a deletion of genes in chromosome 22.

Genetics of DiGeorge Syndrome
DiGeorge affects 1 in every 4,000 live births and can be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. However, only 5-10% of reported DGS cases are inherited. 90-95% of people with DGS obtained it as a random birth defect caused by an error during meiosis.

Associated health issues
People born with DiGeorge Syndrome may develop serious health problems such as:
-Heart defects
-Low calcium levels
-Poor immune system
-Cleft palate
-Poor development of parathyroid glands
-Behavioral, mental, or learning disorders

Also, people with DiGeorge have bluish skin due to poor circulation; they suffer from weakness or tiring easily; they have poor development of muscle, frequent infections, and difficulty feeding, partly due to a gap in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate). DGS also causes noticeable facial features such as low-set ears, wide-set eyes or a narrow groove in the upper lip.

Treatment
DiGeorge Syndrome is incurable. Depending on the amount of genetic material deleted, the disease could be lethal. Most reported cases, however, are not lethal but could be if left untreated. Like, many genetic diseases, DGS is treated by alleviating the symptoms. For example, patients will need to take calcium supplements and vitamin D to survive due to their calcium deficiency. Also, in some cases surgery may be required. It is important to remember that, as this is a genetic disease, it is in every cell of the body of an affected person, and therefore, it is, for the time being, impossible to cure.

Support
The International 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Foundation is in charge of bringing support to patients of 22q11.2 and also DiGeorge Syndrome, as one of its manifestations. Here is their website: http://www.22q.org/

To learn more about DiGeorge Syndrome visit
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/22q112-deletion-syndrome
or, search through the internet.