Sotos syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes excessive physical growth during the first two decades of life, starting from infancy and going into the teen years. Sotos is sometimes accompanied by autism, speech impairments, and intellectual, social, and motor delays. While the condition does affect children in the school years and may continue to cause problems into adulthood, it is non-life threatening and most people with Sotos have normal life expectancies.
According to the Genetics Home Reference page of the National Institutes of Health, Sotos syndrome is believed to occur in one out of every 10,000 to 14,000 births. Researchers speculate the true incidence may be closer to one in every 5,000 births, as other conditions cause similar symptoms and misdiagnoses are possible.
Symptoms
Sotos syndrome is characterized by overgrowth, especially in the bones. Affected persons have facial abnormalities that are especially significant in childhood. This includes having a head that is longer and wider than normal and a pointed chin.
Affected infants and children with Sotos grow quicker than other children their age. They will be taller than their siblings and peers.
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