After Down syndrome, 22q 11 syndrome, or velo cardio facial syndrome, is the second most common genetic deletion syndrome. It is estimated that 12 babies are born every year in Ireland with the syndrome and around 150 families in Ireland are affected by it.
The extent to which a child will be affected is varied and impossible to predict. There are around 150 possible anomalies caused by the deletion and individuals can be affected by many, a few or live life with no discernible problems.
The most common symptoms of the syndrome are heart abnormalities, cleft palate, speech and feeding problems and learning difficulties.
Ninety per cent of individuals with 22q 11 deletions need specialised educational programming. They will struggle with cognition, speech and language and will experience physical and mental health issues.