What is VCFS?

VCFS is a multiple anomaly syndrome caused by a submicroscopic deletion of genetic material from the long arm of chromosome 22.  This region contains 40 genes and absence of these genes from one copy of chromosome 22 can cause a wide array of problems.  In fact, over 180 disorders might occur in VCFS and they cover nearly every organ system in the body with broad reaching effects on development and behavior, including speech, language, personality, mood, learning, attention, and temperament. 

In large part, research done by the scientists at Upstate has been instrumental in defining the problems associated with the syndrome.  Some of the major problems include speech disorders, heart anomalies, feeding problems, ADD/ADHD, psychiatric illness, immune disorders, and cleft palate to name just a few.

Because so many problems can occur affecting so many different functions, it is important to have a large interdisciplinary team working closely together to manage them.