Encephalofacial angiomatosis; Encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis; Fourth phacomatosis; Leptomeningeal angiomatosis; Meningeal capillary angiomatosis; SWS; SWS type I - Facial and leptomeningeal angiomas; SWS type II - Facial angioma alone, no CNS involvement; SWS type III - Isolated leptomeningeal angiomas; Sturge Weber syndromeEncephalofacial angiomatosis; Encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis; Fourth phacomatosis; Leptomeningeal angiomatosis; Meningeal capillary angiomatosis; SWS; SWS type I - Facial and leptomeningeal angiomas; SWS type II - Facial angioma alone, no CNS involvement; SWS type III - Isolated leptomeningeal angiomas; Sturge Weber syndrome
Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare disorder affecting the skin and nervous system. Babies with SWS are born with a birthmark on their face known as a port-wine stain. Port-wine birthmarks are caused by enlarged blood vessels right underneath the skin. People with Sturge-Weber syndrome also have clusters of abnormal blood vessels between the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spine known as leptomeningeal angiomas. They may also have increased pressure in the eyes known as glaucoma. Other symptoms of SWS may include seizures, muscle weakness, developmental and intellectual disability. SWS is caused by a genetic change in the GNAQ gene. The genetic change is not inherited, but occurs by chance in cells of the developing embryo. SWS is diagnosed based on the symptoms. Imaging studies, such as an MRI or CT-scan, are also used to aid in the diagnosis.
Resource(s) for Medical Professionals and Scientists on This Disease:
RareSourceoffers rare disease gene variant annotations and links to rare disease gene literature.
About Sturge-Weber syndrome
Many rare diseases have limited information. Currently GARD aims to provide the following information for this disease:
Population Estimate:Fewer than 50,000 people in the U.S. have this disease.
Symptoms:May start to appear as a Newborn.
Cause:This condition is caused by a change in the genetic material (DNA).
Organizations:Patient organizations are available to help find a specialist, or advocacy and support for this specific disease.
Symptoms of this disease may start to appear as a Newborn.
The age symptoms may begin to appear differs between diseases. Symptoms may begin in a single age range, or during several age ranges. The symptoms from some diseases may begin at any age. Knowing when symptoms began to appear can help medical providers find the correct diagnosis.
Prenatal
Before Birth
Newborn Selected
Birth-4 weeks
Infant
1-23 months
Child
2-11 years
Adolescent
12-18 years
Adult
19-65 years
Older Adult
65+ years
Symptoms may start to appear as a Newborn.
Symptoms
The number and severity of symptoms experienced may differ among people with this disease. Your experience may be different from others, and you should consult your primary care provider for more information.
This list is not all-inclusive, but the following symptoms have been linked to this disease:
Cardiovascular System Cardiovascular System
37 Symptoms
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List View
Tile View
List View
Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system is made up of the heart and blood vessels, including the arteries, veins, and capillaries. Common symptoms of problems in the cardiovascular system include high blood pressure, heart rate or heart rhythm problems, chest pain or discomfort, pain or tingling in the hands or feet, and fatigue. Diseases of the cardiovascular system may be diagnosed and treated by a cardiologist.
Medical Term
Capillary hemangioma
Frequency
Uncommon
Very frequent
Very frequent
Always
Description
The presence of a capillary hemangioma, which are hemangiomas with small endothelial spaces.
The presence of a capillary hemangioma, which are hemangiomas with small endothelial spaces.
Synonym
Capillary hemangioma; Strawberry birthmark
Capillary hemangioma; Strawberry birthmark
37 Symptoms
Causes
This section is currently in development.
Advocacy and Support Groups
How Can Patient Organizations Help?
Patient organizations can help patients and families connect. They build public awareness of the disease and are a driving force behind research to improve patients' lives. They may offer online and in-person resources to help people live well with their disease. Many collaborate with medical experts and researchers.
Services of patient organizations differ, but may include:
Ways to connect to others and share personal stories
Easy-to-read information
Up-to-date treatment and research information
Patient registries
Lists of specialists or specialty centers
Financial aid and travel resources
Please note: GARD provides organizations for informational purposes only and not as an endorsement of their services. Please contact an organization directly if you have questions about the information or resources it provides.
Clinical studies are part of clinical research and at the heart of all medical advances, including rare diseases. Participating in research helps researchers ultimately uncover better ways to treat, prevent, diagnose, and understand human diseases.
What Are Clinical Studies?
Clinical studies are medical research involving people as participants. There are two main types of clinical studies:
Clinical trials determine if a new test or treatment for a disease is effective and safe by comparing groups receiving different tests/treatments.
Observational studies involve recording changes over time among a specific group of people in their natural settings.
People participate in clinical trials for a variety of reasons. Participants with a disease may participate to help others, but also to possibly receive the newest treatment and additional care from clinical study staff. Healthy volunteers may also participate to help others and to contribute to moving science forward.
How Do You Find the Right Clinical Study?
To find the right clinical study we recommend you:
Use ClincalTrials.gov button below to search for studies by disease, terms, or country.
Consult doctors, other trusted medical professionals, and patient organizations.
Enroll in databases to allow researchers from participating institutions to find you.
What if There Are No Available Clinical Studies?
ResearchMatch helps connect people interested in research studies with researchers from top medical centers across the United States. Anyone from the U.S. can register with this free program funded by NIH. Researchers from participating institutions use the database to search for and invite patients or healthy volunteers who meet their study criteria to participate.
What Are Clinical Studies?
Clinical studies are medical research involving people as participants. There are two main types of clinical studies:
Clinical trials determine if a new test or treatment for a disease is effective and safe by comparing groups receiving different tests/treatments.
Observational studies involve recording changes over time among a specific group of people in their natural settings.
People participate in clinical trials for a variety of reasons. Participants with a disease may participate to help others, but also to possibly receive the newest treatment and additional care from clinical study staff. Healthy volunteers may also participate to help others and to contribute to moving science forward.
How Do You Find the Right Clinical Study?
To find the right clinical study we recommend you:
Use ClincalTrials.gov button below to search for studies by disease, terms, or country.
Consult doctors, other trusted medical professionals, and patient organizations.
Enroll in databases to allow researchers from participating institutions to find you.
What if There Are No Available Clinical Studies?
ResearchMatch helps connect people interested in research studies with researchers from top medical centers across the United States. Anyone from the U.S. can register with this free program funded by NIH. Researchers from participating institutions use the database to search for and invite patients or healthy volunteers who meet their study criteria to participate.
ClinicalTrials.gov, an affiliate of NIH, provides current information on clinical research studies in the United States and abroad. Talk to a trusted doctor before choosing to participate in any clinical study. We recommend checking this site often and searching for studies with related terms/synonyms to improve results.
GARDGenetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Please contact GARD if you need help finding additional information or resources on rare diseases, including clinical studies. Our Information Specialists are available to you by phone or by filling out our contact form. Note, GARD cannot enroll individuals in clinical studies.
ClinicalTrials.gov, an affiliate of NIH, provides current information on clinical research studies in the United States and abroad. Talk to a trusted doctor before choosing to participate in any clinical study. We recommend checking this site often and searching for studies with related terms/synonyms to improve results.
GARDGenetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Please contact GARD if you need help finding additional information or resources on rare diseases, including clinical studies. Our Information Specialists are available to you by phone or by filling out our contact form. Note, GARD cannot enroll individuals in clinical studies.
Learn about symptoms, cause, support, and research for a rare disease.
Take steps toward getting a diagnosis by working with your doctor, finding the right specialists, and coordinating medical care.
Find resources for patients and caregivers that address the challenges of living with a rare disease.
Take steps toward getting a diagnosis by working with your doctor, finding the right specialists, and coordinating medical care.
Data from Orphanet and Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) are used to provide information on a disease's symptoms, genes, inheritance, population estimates, and more.
