Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome

This chapter provides a thorough overview of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, which is considered to be the most common of the overgrowth syndromes and imprinting disorders. It starts with a description of the clinical aspects of the condition, including diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, risk of malignancy, and management. This is followed by an in-depth description of the genetic causes of the syndrome and of the molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder. The complexities of the etiology, which involves two neighboring loci, each one regulated by finely tuned imprinting mechanisms, are clearly delineated. The chapter also touches on the reported association between in vitro fertilization and risk of conceiving a baby with this syndrome.