What is velocardiofacial syndrome?

Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is a genetic condition that is sometimes hereditary. Velocardiofacial Syndrome is characterized by a combination of medical problems that vary from child to child. These medical problems include: cleft palate, or an opening in the roof of the mouth, and other differences in the palate; heart defects; problems fighting infection; low calcium levels; differences in the way the kidneys are formed or work; a characteristic facial appearance; learning problems; and speech and feeding problems.

The name velocardiofacial syndrome comes from the Latin words 'velum' meaning palate, 'cardia' meaning heart and 'facies' having to do with the face. Not all of these identifying features are found in each child who is born with Velocardiofacial Syndrome. The most common features are palatal differences (~75 percent), heart defects (75 percent), problems fighting infection (77 percent), low calcium levels (50 percent), differences in the kidney (35 percent), characteristic facial appearance (numbers vary depending on the individual's ethnic and racial background), learning problems (~90 percent) and speech (~75 percent) and feeding problems (35 percent).