van der Woude Syndrome 

  • Author: Gregory P Conners, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Bruce Buehler, MD   more...
 
Updated: Sep 13, 2011
 

Background

van der Woude syndrome is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by a cleft lip or cleft palate, distinctive pits of the lower lips, or both. It is the most common syndrome associated with cleft lip or cleft palate. The degree to which individuals who carry the gene are affected widely varies, even within families. These variable manifestations include lower lip pits alone, absent teeth, or isolated cleft lip and cleft palate of varying severity. Hypodontia (absent teeth) has been increasingly recognized as a frequently associated anomaly. Many other associated anomalies have also been described.

Cleft lip and cleft palate in an infant with van dCleft lip and cleft palate in an infant with van der Woude syndrome. (Photo courtesy of Mary J. Hauk, DDS.) Closer view of cleft lip and cleft palate in an inCloser view of cleft lip and cleft palate in an infant with van der Woude syndrome, showing raised pits of lower lip. (Photo courtesy of Mary J. Hauk, DDS.) Intraoral view of cleft lip and cleft palate in anIntraoral view of cleft lip and cleft palate in an infant with van der Woude syndrome. (Photo courtesy of Mary J. Hauk, DDS.)
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Pathophysiology

The most prominent and consistent features of van der Woude syndrome are orofacial anomalies caused by an abnormal fusion of the palate and lips at 30-50 days postconception. Most cases of van der Woude syndrome have been linked to a deletion in chromosome 1q32-q41; however, a second chromosomal locus at 1p34 has also been identified. The responsible mutation has been identified in the interferon regulatory factor-6 (IRF -6) gene, but the exact mechanism of this mutation on craniofacial development is uncertain.

Demonstrating the presence or absence of an IRF-6 mutation can be helpful when distinguishing between uncomplicated cleft lip and/or cleft palate and van der Woude syndrome. A wide variety of chromosomal mutations that cause van der Woude syndrome and are associated with IRF-6 gene mutations have been described. A potential modifying gene has been identified at 17p11.2-p11.1.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

International

In general, van der Woude syndrome affects about 1 in 100,000-200,000 individuals. About 1-2% of patients with cleft lip or cleft palate have van der Woude syndrome.

Mortality/Morbidity

The severity of van der Woude syndrome widely varies, even within families. Approximately 25% of individuals with van der Woude syndrome are asymptomatic or have minimal symptoms, such as absent teeth or trivial indentations in the lower lips. Others have severe clefting in the lip or palate. Lip pits are often associated with accessory salivary glands that empty into the pits, which occasionally leads to embarrassing visible discharge. Hypodontia is present in 10-81% of affected individuals. Most upper and/or lower second premolars are frequently absent.

Race

Differences among races have not been described.

Sex

van der Woude syndrome equally affects both sexes. A single, small study has suggested that males with the syndrome may have poorer cognitive function than females.[1]

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Gregory P Conners, MD, MPH  Chief, Division of Emergency Medical Services, Children's Mercy Hospital; Vice Chair of Pediatrics for Emergency and Urgent Care; Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Gregory P Conners, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Academic Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Pediatric Society, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Ian Krantz, MD  Department of Pediatrics, Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Ian Krantz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Human Genetics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert Anthony Saul, MD  Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Carolina School of Medicine; Senior Clinical Geneticist, Greenwood Genetic Center

Robert Anthony Saul, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Medical Genetics, and American College of Physician Executives

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP  Consulting Staff, Freeman Pediatric Care, Freeman Health System

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Osteopathy, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Bruce Buehler, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Director RSA, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Bruce Buehler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Mental Retardation, American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and Nebraska Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  2. Nawa H, Oberoi S, Vargervik K. Taurodontism and Van der Woude syndrome. Is there an association?. Angle Orthod. Sep 2008;78(5):832-7. [Medline].

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  21. Sertie AL, Sousa AV, Steman S, et al. Linkage analysis in a large Brazilian family with van der Woude syndrome suggests the existence of a susceptibility locus for cleft palate at 17p11.2-11.1. Am J Hum Genet. Aug 1999;65(2):433-40. [Medline].

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Cleft lip and cleft palate in an infant with van der Woude syndrome. (Photo courtesy of Mary J. Hauk, DDS.)
Closer view of cleft lip and cleft palate in an infant with van der Woude syndrome, showing raised pits of lower lip. (Photo courtesy of Mary J. Hauk, DDS.)
Intraoral view of cleft lip and cleft palate in an infant with van der Woude syndrome. (Photo courtesy of Mary J. Hauk, DDS.)
 
 
 
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