Incontinence in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms and continence in the context of Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS).

METHODS

A prospective evaluation of children with PMS (n = 17) at the National Institutes of Health.

RESULTS

Parent-reported history of symptoms were common: constipation (65%), reflux (59%), choking/gagging (41%), and more than half received gastrointestinal specialty care. No aspiration was noted in 11/11 participants who completed modified barium swallows. Four participants met criteria for functional constipation, 2 of whom had abnormal colonic transit studies. Stool incontinence was highly prevalent (13/17) with nonretentive features present in 12/17. Participants who were continent had significantly smaller genetic deletions (P = 0.01) and higher nonverbal mental age (P = 0.03) compared with incontinent participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Incontinence is common in PMS and associated with intellectual functioning and gene deletion size. Management strategies may differ based on the presence of nonretentive fecal incontinence, functional constipation, and degree of intellectual disability for children with PMS.