Williams Syndrome

Williams syndrome (WS) is a relatively rare genetic disorder, which is associated with mild to severe learning difficulties, health problems including increased levels of heart and renal dysfunction as well as narrowing of the major blood vessels (supravalvular aortic stenosis [SVA]), fluent speech although often accompanied by difficulties in understanding fully what others are saying, problems with orienting themselves or objects in space, and characteristic facial features. WS is sometimes also referred to as Williams–Beuren syndrome or infantile hypercalcemia. A hallmark of the syndrome is a strong urge of individuals with WS to seek social interaction and being overly friendly with strangers.