Skip to main content
. 2022 Feb 11;10(3):e1843. doi: 10.1002/mgg3.1843

TABLE 1.

Health considerations by age for individuals with Angelman syndrome

Age Medical eval Anticipatory guidance Medical referrals Labs Diagnostic Medication/supplement considerations
Age of diagnosis
  • Feeding

  • Vision

    • CVI

    • strabismus

  • GERD

  • Growth & Development

  • Tone

  • Seizures

  • Genetic counseling

  • Hold upright during feeding and for 30 minutes after feeding (GERD precautions)

  • Discuss low‐carbohydrate, higher protein and fat foods towards implementation of LGIT diet

  • Early intervention services

  • Assess sleep

  • Seizures precautions/management

  • Monitor constipation

  • Sufficient environmental stimulation

  • Support groups

  • Clinical research a

  • Genetics/Genetic Counseling

  • Neurology

  • Ophthalmology

  • GI/Nutrition

  • OT

    • Address sensory needs

  • PT

    • Orthotics

    • Aqua therapy

  • SLP

    • AAC

  • Genetic confirmation (See Figure 1)

  • If failure to thrive is present: CMP, CBC, thyroid studies, vitamin D, magnesium, phosphorus

  • Assess patient produces ketones as expected if initiating diet: acylcarnitine profile, urine organic acids, free and total carnitine

  • Additional labs before initiating/monitoring diet: selenium, zinc, ionized calcium, BHB, lipid panel, carnitine, urine calcium

  • Ferritin with ESR

  • Hip x‐ray (especially if not ambulatory)

  • Spine x‐ray

  • EEG, especially if suspect seizures

  • Feeding evaluation

    • VFSS if needed

  • Diet: LGIT or ketogenic diet

  • Seizure management (see Figure 2)

  • MCT oil to support diet/constipation

  • Levocarnitine if level borderline or low in patient on low carbohydrate diet

1–3 years old
  • Growth & development

  • Vision

    • CVI

    • strabismus

  • Feeding

  • Seizures

  • Sleep

  • Behavior

  • Early intervention services

  • LGIT/ketogenic diets

  • Routines

    • Bedtime

    • Toileting (see Figure S1)

    • Daily activities

    • Behavioral modification

  • Limit‐setting

  • Seizures

  • Support groups

  • Clinical research a

  • Neurology

  • Medical Home/AS specialist

  • Ophthalmology

  • Developmental Pediatrician

  • GI/Nutrition

  • Sleep (if not addressed by another specialist)

  • OT

    • Address sensory needs

  • PT

    • Orthotics

    • Aqua therapy

    • hippotherapy

  • SLP

    • AAC

  • Vision therapy

  • Equipment referral (specialized stroller, car seat, Safe sleep bed)

  • Applied behavioral analysis/behavioral therapy

  • Dental care

  • Ferritin and ESR

  • CBC

  • Vitamin D

  • Diet Monitoring

    • CBC

    • Vitamin D

    • CMP

    • Selenium

    • Magnesium

    • Phosphorus

    • Zinc

    • Carnitine

    • BHB

    • Lipid panel

    • Urine calcium

    • Ionized calcium

  • Hip x‐ray (especially if not ambulatory)

  • Spine x‐ray

  • Consider EEG

  • Feeding evaluation

  • Diet: LGIT or ketogenic diet

  • Seizure management (see Figure 2)

  • MCT oil to support diet/constipation

  • Levocarnitine if level borderline or low in patient on low carbohydrate diet

  • Sleep Management (see Figure 3)

  • Consider transition to Safe Sleep bed

  • Behavior Management (see Figure 4)

  • Treat constipation with stool softener +mild stimulant (e.g. senna, magnesium)

1–5 years old
  • Growth & development

  • Seizures

  • Vision

    • CVI

    • strabismus

  • Feeding

  • Scoliosis

  • Sleep

  • Behavior

  • Mobility

  • Early intervention services/IEP preparation

  • Seizures

  • LGIT/ketogenic diets

  • Routines

    • Bedtime

    • Toileting (see Figure S1)

    • Daily activities

    • Behavioral modification strategy

  • Limit‐setting

  • Constipation (can be linked to sleep disturbance, seizures, behavior changes)

  • Activity

    • Adaptive sports

    • Exercise 30–90 minutes per day

  • Monitor gait over time

  • Sleep

    • Consider role of seizures at night

  • Support groups

  • Clinical research a

  • Neurology

  • Medical Home/AS specialist

  • Developmental Pediatrician (if not addressed by another specialist)

  • Sleep (if not addressed by another specialist)

  • Ophthalmology

  • GI/Nutrition

  • SLP

    • AAC focus

  • OT

  • PT

    • Orthotics

    • strengthening

    • Aqua therapy

    • Hippotherapy

    • SPIDER therapy

  • Vision therapy

  • Applied behavioral analysis/behavioral therapy

  • Dental care

  • Ferritin and ESR

  • Vitamin D

  • Diet Monitoring

    • CBC

    • Vitamin D

    • CMP

    • Selenium

    • Magnesium

    • Phosphorus

    • Zinc

    • Carnitine

    • BHB

    • Lipid panel

    • Urine calcium

    • Ionized calcium

  • Hip x‐ray (especially if not ambulatory)

  • Spine x‐ray

  • Consider EEG

  • Feeding evaluation

  • Consider sleep study (best if in home environment)

  • DEXA scan every 2 years if on low carbohydrate diet

  • Diet: LGIT or ketogenic diet

  • Seizure management (see Figure 2)

  • MCT oil to support diet/constipation

  • Levocarnitine if level borderline or low in patient on low carbohydrate diet

  • Sleep Management (see Figure 3)

  • Consider transition to Safe Sleep bed

  • Behavior Management (see Figure 4)

  • Treat constipation daily with stool softener +mild stimulant (e.g. senna)

5–13 years‐old
  • Growth & development

  • Seizures

  • Sleep

  • Behavior

  • Vision

  • Scoliosis

  • Mobility

  • Weight management

  • Seizures

  • Non‐epileptic myoclonus may emerge around the time of puberty

  • Sleep

  • LGIT/ketogenic diets

  • Hyperphagia

  • Constipation

  • Mobility (change in gait pattern, consider pain)

  • Constipation (can be linked to sleep disturbance, seizures, behavior changes)

  • Anxiety

  • Puberty

    • Monitor seizures

    • Behavior changes

    • Plan for suppression of menses (in females)

  • Routines/consistency in all environments

    • Bedtime

    • Toileting (see Figure S1)

    • Daily activities

    • Behavioral modification strategy

    • Safety plan (tracking if elopement is a concern)

  • IEP intervention

    • PT b

    • SLP: AAC integration

    • OT: focus on independence, activities of daily living

    • Para pro

    • Inclusion where appropriate

    • Functional behavioral assessment and ABA/behavioral therapy services

    • Seizure plan (prophylactic medications)

    • Clinical Research a

  • Neurology

  • Medical Home/AS specialist

  • Ophthalmology

  • GI/Nutrition

  • Sleep (if not addressed by another specialist)

  • Orthopedics (as needed for mobility, scoliosis, DDH)

  • Obstetrics & gynecology

  • SLP

    • AAC focus

  • OT

  • PT

    • Orthotics

    • strengthening

    • Aqua therapy

    • Hippotherapy

    • SPIDER therapy

  • Vision therapy

  • Applied behavioral analysis/behavioral therapy

  • Dental care

  • IEP advocate

  • Ferritin and ESR

  • Vitamin D

  • CMP

  • CBC

  • Lipid panel

  • Diet Monitoring

    • CBC

    • Vitamin D

    • CMP

    • Selenium

    • Magnesium

    • Phosphorus

    • Zinc

    • Carnitine

    • BHB

    • Lipid panel

    • Urine calcium

    • Ionized calcium

  • Hip x‐ray (especially if not ambulatory)

  • Spine x‐ray

  • NEM: rule out underlying causes – constipation, worsening sleep, decreased appetite and poor nutrition, changes in mobility related to decreased ROM and pain)

  • DEXA every 2 years if on low carbohydrate diet long‐term, non‐ambulatory, delayed puberty or history of >2 fractures

  • Diet: LGIT or ketogenic diet

  • Seizure management (see Figure 2)

  • MCT oil to support diet/constipation

  • Levocarnitine if level borderline or low in patient on low carbohydrate diet

  • Sleep Management (see Figure 3)

  • Consider transition to Safe Sleep bed

  • Behavior Management (see Figure 4)

  • Treat constipation daily with stool softener +mild stimulant (e.g. senna)

13–21 years‐old
  • Independence with ADLs

  • Transition

  • Seizures

  • Sleep

  • Behavior

  • Scoliosis

  • Mobility

  • AAC use and integration

  • Weight management

  • Seizures

  • Non‐epileptic myoclonus may emerge around the time of puberty

  • Sleep

  • LGIT/ketogenic diets

  • Hyperphagia

  • Constipation

  • Mobility (change in gait pattern, consider pain)

  • Constipation (can be linked to sleep disturbance, seizures, behavior changes)

  • Anxiety

  • Puberty

    • Monitor seizures

    • Behavior changes

    • Plan for suppression of menses (in females)

  • Routines/consistency in all environments

  • Bedtime

  • Toileting (see Figure S1)

  • Daily activities

  • Behavioral modification strategy

  • Safety plan (tracking if elopement is a concern)

  • IEP intervention

  • PT b

  • SLP: AAC integration

  • OT: focus on independence, ADL

  • Para pro

  • Inclusion where appropriate

  • Functional behavioral assessment and behavioral therapy services

  • Seizure plan (prophylactic medications)

  • Clinical Trials

  • Socialization

  • Vocational opportunities

  • Guardianship

  • Transition of care

  • Support groups

  • DDA services

  • Clinical Research a

  • Neurology

  • Medical Home/AS specialist

  • Ophthalmology

  • Sleep (if not addressed by other specialist)

  • GI/Nutrition

  • Orthopedics (as needed for mobility, scoliosis)

  • Obstetrics & gynecology

  • SLP

    • AAC focus

  • OT

    • Focus on function and ADLs

  • PT

    • Orthotics

    • strengthening

    • Aqua therapy

    • Hippotherapy

    • SPIDER therapy

  • Applied behavioral analysis/behavioral therapy

  • Dental care

  • IEP advocate

  • Ferritin and ESR

  • Vitamin D

  • Diet Monitoring

    • CBC

    • Vitamin D

    • CMP

    • Selenium

    • Magnesium

    • Phosphorus

    • Zinc

    • Carnitine

    • BHB

    • Lipid panel

    • Urine calcium

  • Ionized calcium

  • Spine x‐ray

  • NEM: rule out underlying causes – constipation, worsening sleep, decreased appetite and poor nutrition, changes in mobility related to decreased ROM and pain)

  • DEXA every 2 years if on low carbohydrate diet long‐term, non‐ambulatory, delayed puberty or history of >2 fractures

  • Diet: LGIT or ketogenic diet

  • Seizure management (see Figure 2)

  • MCT oil to support diet/constipation

  • Levocarnitine if level borderline or low in patient on low carbohydrate diet

  • Sleep Management (see Figure 3)

  • Consider transition to Safe Sleep bed

  • Behavior Management (see Figure 4)

  • Treat constipation daily with stool softener +mild stimulant (e.g. senna)

Adults
  • Independence with ADLs

  • Seizures

  • Sleep

  • Behavior

  • Scoliosis

  • Mobility

  • AAC use and integration

  • Weight management

  • Non‐epileptic myoclonus

  • Sleep

  • LGIT/ketogenic diets

  • Hyperphagia

  • Constipation

  • Mobility (change in gait pattern, consider pain)

  • Introduction and/or use of AAC

  • Constipation (can be linked to sleep disturbance, seizures, behavior changes)

  • Anxiety

  • Puberty

    • Monitor seizures

    • Behavior changes

    • Plan for suppression of menses (in females)

  • Routines/consistency in all environments

    • Bedtime

    • Toileting (see Figure S1)

    • Daily activities

    • Behavioral modification strategy

    • Safety plan (tracking if elopement is a concern)

  • Seizures

  • Socialization

  • Vocational training

  • Guardianship

  • Transition of care

  • Support groups

  • DDA

  • Preventive Medicine for adults

    • Breast examination/ mammograms

    • Prostate examination

    • Colonoscopy

  • Clinical research a

  • Medical Home/AS specialist

  • Neurology

  • Ophthalmology

  • Sleep (if not addressed by other specialist)

  • GI/Nutrition

  • Orthopedics (as needed for mobility, scoliosis)

  • Obstetrics & gynecology

  • SLP

    • AAC focus

  • OT

    • Focus on function and ADLs

  • PT

    • Orthotics

    • strengthening

    • Aqua therapy

    • Hippotherapy

    • SPIDER therapy

  • Applied behavioral analysis/behavioral therapy

  • Dental care

  • Ferritin and ESR

  • Vitamin D

  • Diet Monitoring

    • CBC

    • Vitamin D

    • CMP

    • Selenium

    • Magnesium

    • Phosphorus

    • Zinc

    • Carnitine

    • BHB

    • Lipid panel

    • Urine calcium

    • Ionized calcium

  • Spine x‐ray

  • Consider EEG

  • Consider sleep study (best if in home environment)

  • NEM: rule out underlying causes – constipation, worsening sleep, decreased appetite and poor nutrition, changes in mobility related to decreased ROM and pain)

  • DEXA every 2 years if on low carbohydrate diet long‐term, non‐ambulatory, delayed puberty or history of >2 fractures

  • DEXA scan for females >65 years old to screen for osteoporosis

  • Diet: LGIT or ketogenic diet

  • Seizure management (see Figure 2)

  • MCT oil to support diet/constipation

  • Levocarnitine if level borderline or low in patient on low carbohydrate diet

  • Sleep Management (see Figure 3)

  • Consider transition to Safe Sleep bed

  • Behavior Management (see Figure 4)

  • Treat constipation daily with stool softener +mild stimulant (e.g. senna)

  • Preventive healthcare as guidelines recommend for adults (e.g. Pap smear, prostate screening, breast exam, mammogram, colonoscopy); however, anesthesia is required

Abbreviations: AAC, augmentative and assistive communication device; ABA, applied behavioral analysis; ADL, activity of daily living; AS, Angelman Syndrome; BHB, beta‐hydroxybutyrate; CBC, complete blood counts; CMP, comprehensive metabolic panel; CVI, cortical visual impairment; DDA, Developmental Disabilities Administration; DEXA, dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease; GI, gastroenterology; IEP, individualized education plan; LGIT, low glycemic index therapy; MCT, medium chain triglycerides; NEM, non‐epileptic myoclonus; OT, occupational therapy; PT, physical therapy; SLP, speech & language pathology; SPIDER, Strengthening Program of Intensive Developmental Exercises and Activities for Reaching Maximal Potential; VFSS, video fluoroscopic swallow study.

a

Clinical research opportunities include participation in the Global Angelman Registry, Natural History Study, and currently recruiting clinical trials.

b

PT involvement providing support as needed in collaboration with IEP team to maximize participation within classroom and access of school environment.