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Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by overgrowth, tumor predisposition and congenital malformations.
Features include very common findings: Tall stature, Large for gestational age, and Neoplasm; and common findings: Nephrocalcinosis, Nevus flammeus, Coarse facial features, and Hemihypertrophy and others. 92 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Kidneys and urinary system | 8 | Nephrocalcinosis, Renal cortical cysts, Nephroblastoma |
Digestive system | 7 | Hepatoblastoma, Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), Pancreatic hyperplasia |
Head and neck | 5 | Coarse facial features, Mandibular prognathia, Cleft palate |
Heart and blood vessels | 3 | Enlarged heart (cardiomegaly), Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), Thickened heart muscle (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) |
Pregnancy and birth | 3 | Neonatal hypoglycemia, Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, Congenital megaureter |
Growth and development | 2 | Tall stature, Asymmetric growth |
Brain and nerves | 2 | Abnormal speech pattern, Delayed gross motor development |
Bones and joints | 1 | Accelerated skeletal maturation |
Neoplasm | 1 | Neoplasm |
Skin | 1 | Redundant skin |
Hormones | 1 | Hypothyroidism |
Blood and immune system | 1 | Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) |
Muscles | 1 | Delayed gross motor development |
Lab test results | 1 | Elevated circulating alpha-fetoprotein concentration |
Lungs and breathing | 1 | Sleep apnea |
Ears | 1 | Hearing loss (hearing impairment) |
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a growth disorder variably characterized by neonatal hypoglycemia (persistent hypoglycemia or transient hypoglycemia due to hyperinsulinemia), macrosomia, macroglossia, hemihyperplasia, omphalocele, embryonal tumors (e.g., Wilms tumor, hepatoblastoma, neuroblastoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma), visceromegaly, adrenocortical cytomegaly, kidney abnormalities (e.g., medullary dysplasia, nephrocalcinosis, and medullary sponge kidney), and ear creases/ posterior helical ear pits. BWS is considered a clinical spectrum, in which affected individuals may have many or only one or two of the characteristic clinical features. General incidence figures for the clinical findings in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) are summarized in ; however, specific figures vary widely in published reports, in part due to ascertainment bias and the mosaic nature of the condition in many affected individuals. Table 2. Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome: Frequency of Select Features
Feature | Approximate % of Persons w/Feature1 | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Macroglossia | 90% |
CDKN1C encodes cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (316 aa). Potent tight-binding inhibitor of several G1 cyclin/CDK complexes (cyclin E-CDK2, cyclin D2-CDK4, and cyclin A-CDK2) and, to lesser extent, of the mitotic cyclin B-CDC2.
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is associated with mutations in the CDKN1C gene on chromosome 11.
The CDKN1C protein participates in CDK4,CDK6:CCND:CDKN1A,CDKN1B,(CDKN1C); CDK4,CDK6:CCND; (CDK4,CDK6:CCND:p-Y88-CDKN1B), p-T172-CDK4,p-T177-CDK6:CCND:CDKN1A,CDKN1B,(CDKN1C); p-T172-CDK4,p-T177-CDK6:CCND; (p-T172-CDK4,p-T177-CDK6:CCND:p-Y88-CDKN1B), and Cyclin D:CDK4,CDK6:CDKN1A,CDKN1B,(CDKN1C) pathways.
CDKN1C is classified as a druggable target (Clinically Actionable and Kinase categories) with score 11.6.
KCNQ1OT1 encodes KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1. Highest expression in Ovary (2.8 TPM) and Nerve Tibial (2.1 TPM).
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is associated with mutations in the KCNQ1OT1 gene on chromosome 11.
KCNQ1OT1 is classified as a druggable target with score 0.0.
The phenotypic presentation of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is highly variable, and no consensus clinical diagnostic criteria are universally accepted at this time. Clinical diagnostic scoring systems have been proposed and can assist with guiding diagnostic considerations, genetic testing, and management . However, a cautious approach should be adopted especially given the implications for tumor surveillance. That is, children with a "mild" clinical presentation, those whose algorithm scores do not meet the threshold for a BWS clinical diagnosis, and/or those with nondiagnostic genetic testing results may still be at increased risk for tumor development.
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) should be suspected in a proband who has one or more of the following findings,...
Source: GeneReviews — "Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome"
Overgrowth. Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is often considered in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with overgrowth . It is important to note the existence of as-yet unclassified overgrowth syndromes that need to be differentiated from BWS. Of note: In children considered to have BWS and developmental delay who have a normal chromosome study, no history of hypoxia or hypoglycemia, and normal brain imaging, other causes of developmental delay need to be considered. Table 5. Overgrowth Disorders to Consider in the Differential Diagnosis of Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome
Gene(s)/ Genetic Mechanism | Disorder | MOI | Features of DiffDx Disorder |
|---|---|---|---|
Overlapping w/BWS | Distinguishing from BWS Multilocus imprinting disturbances | Multilocus imprinting disorder |
Genetic testing for CDKN1C, KCNQ1OT1 is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
Clinical practice guidelines for Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome have been published and most frequently focus on the issue of tumor screening protocols (see and ). Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to diagnosis) are recommended. Table 7. Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Constitutional | Measurement of weight, length/height, head circumference | To assess for macrosomia or overgrowth |
Endocrinologic | Measurement of pre-feed blood glucose level in neonates | To assess for hypoglycemia1; consider consultation w/endocrinologist |
ENT/Mouth | Assessment for macroglossia cleft palate | Consider referral to plastic surgeon, ENT, or craniofacial team feeding specialist if macroglossia is a concern for those w/cleft palate. Dental/orthodontic assessment |
Respiratory | Assessment of airway sufficiency | Particularly in neonates infants; most airway issues are related to macroglossia, which may either improve over time or require treatment. Consider sleep study |
Gastrointestinal |
Source: GeneReviews — "Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome"
Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Source: GeneReviews — "Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome"
4 trials found
Perspectives on screening for malignant tumors in childhood differ based on local, national, and international practices. In North America proactive tumor screening is often recommended when the risk of tumor development exceeds 1% [, , , , ]. In many European countries, proactive tumor screening protocols are typically undertaken when the risk of tumor development exceeds 5%, and as such, tumor screening is based on the risk associated with specific molecular mechanism . summarizes typical tumor screening protocols in North America. Surveillance has been shown to improve outcomes, including earlier detection of tumors . For general screening guidelines outside of tumor surveillance, see . Table 9. Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome: Tumor Surveillance Protocols1,2
Assessment | Frequency | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Abdominal ultrasound w/views of liver, adrenal glands, kidneys | Every 3 mos until age 4 yrs3 | To screen primarily for hepatoblastoma Wilms tumor but also for adrenocortical carcinoma abdominal neuroblastoma |
Renal ultrasound only | Every 3 mos from age 4-7 yrs | To screen for Wilms tumor |
Serum AFP level | Every 3 mos until age 4 yrs | To screen for hepatoblastoma4,5 If AFP is elevated, imaging reveals no suspicious lesion, follow-up measurement of serum AFP concentration plus baseline liver function tests 4-6 wks later can be used to determine the trend in serum AFP concentrations over time.6 |
If the concentration is not decreasing, it is appropriate to undertake an exhaustive search for an underlying tumor. Physical exam by pediatrician, geneticist, or pediatric oncologist | 2x/yr | Incl ongoing education about tumor signs/symptoms to aid in compliance |
Source: GeneReviews — "Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome"
Phenotype severity distribution: 3 very common features, 40 common features.
Estimated prevalence: 1-5 in 10,000 (Uncommon).
4 clinical trials registered, 3 recruiting. Interventions under study include other interventions and gene therapy. Pipeline includes 1 PHASE3, 1 NA. Research is primarily sponsored by academic and government institutions.
126 publications have been identified in PubMed for Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (36%), Basic Science / Preclinical (22%), and Review / Meta-Analysis (21%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Patient case studies | 45 | 36% |
Laboratory research | 28 | 22% |
Research summaries | 26 | 21% |
Disease patterns and progression | 15 | 12% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 8 | 6% |
Clinical study results | 4 | 3% |
Semenova V (2026). [PMID: 42123644](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42123644/). *Int J Mol Sci*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Zahouani T (2026). [PMID: 30085552](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30085552/). *Unknown Journal*. [Diagnostic / Biomarker]
Galliano I (2026). [PMID: 41899479](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41899479/). *Curr Issues Mol Biol*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Wu S (2026). [PMID: 41888894](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41888894/). *BMC Med Genomics*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Juven A (2026). [PMID: 41997497](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41997497/). *Ann Endocrinol (Paris)*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Mertiri L (2026). [PMID: 41703635](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41703635/). *Cancer Imaging*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Bouhadana GC (2026). [PMID: 41891532](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41891532/). *J Craniofac Surg*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Wang C (2026). [PMID: 41840691](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41840691/). *Hum Genomics*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Hu AC (2026). [PMID: 41805692](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41805692/). *Plast Reconstr Surg*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Lee W (2026). [PMID: 41913935](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41913935/). *J Child Orthop*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Data assembled from 8 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 1:11 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
Macrosomia | 45%-65% (as high as 90%) | Defined as pre- /or postnatal overgrowth, often using a cutoff of 90th or 97th centile, depending on study |
Anterior earlobe creases/ posterior helical ear pits | 63% | The more common preauricular ear pits are not typically assoc w/BWS. |
Prenatal polyhydramnios | 53% | — |
Facial nevus simplex | 52% | Also referred to as nevus flammeus |
Kidney anomalies | 52% | — |
Neonatal hypoglycemia | 30%-60% | May be exacerbated by prematurity |
Omphalocele | 44% | — |
Umbilical hernia/ diastasis recti | 22%-44% | — |
Hemihyperplasia | 37%-65% | Also referred to as lateralized overgrowth |
Nephromegaly on imaging | 38% | Organomegaly may also incl hepatomegaly (37%) splenomegaly (16%). |
Embryonal tumor | 8% | Risk is correlated w/molecular alteration. Tumor risks vary from 2.6% to 28% . |
Cardiac anomalies | 13% | — |
Cleft palate | 3% | Adapted from and Data were collected retrospectively and potentially with significant ascertainment bias. Updated prospective and filtered data (e.g., macrosomia in the context of parental growth parameters, molecular subgroups) will need to be collected. Prenatal and perinatal. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome"
Mosaic or chimeric genome-wide paternal uniparental isodisomy | Mosaic or chimeric genome-wide paternal uniparental isodisomy | Sporadic | See . |
Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome type 1 | XL | Macrosomia, visceromegaly, macroglossia, kidney anomalies, risk for embryonal tumors | Variable DD, facial features (coarse features, downslanted palpebral fissures, widely spaced eyes, macrostomia, midline groove in vermilion of lower lip), cleft lip, structural conduction cardiac abnormalities, skeletal abnormalities incl polydactyly |
DIS3L2 | Perlman syndrome (OMIM 267000) | AR | Macrosomia, high incidence of Wilms tumor |
EZH2 | Weaver syndrome (See EZH2-Related Overgrowth.) | AD2 | Macrosomia, umbilical hernia |
Sotos syndrome | AD2 | Macrosomia | Facial features (dolichocephaly, frontal bossing, downslanted palpebral fissures, pointed chin), sparse hair in frontoparietal distribution, ID, macrocephaly DNMT3A |
Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome | AD2 | Macrosomia, cardiac anomalies | Macrocephaly, obesity, ID, ASD, behavioral/psychiatric issues, distinctive facies w/prominent central incisors, joint hypermobility, scoliosis, seizures, risk of myeloid leukemia HRAS |
Costello syndrome | AD2 | Can be similar to BWS in neonatal period (when affected infants present w/macrosomia). | — |
Source: GeneReviews — "Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome"
Assessment for abdominal wall abnormalities, incl omphalocele umbilical hernia
Serum AFP level |
Renal | Renal imaging can be achieved through baseline complete abdominal ultrasound (See Gastrointestinal in this table.) | To assess for kidney anomalies, nephromegaly, Wilms tumor If there is evidence of calcium deposits on renal ultrasound, consider urine calcium-to-creatinine ratio, CT of kidneys, referral to nephrologist. |
Musculoskeletal | Clinical eval for hemihyperplasia | To incl assessment of:; Gross motor skills; PT (if delay in gross motor skills) /or orthopedic referral if leg length discrepancy 1 cm |
Hearing | Audiologic eval | Assess for hearing loss in neonates or in those w/speech delay. |
Cardiovascular | Clinical eval for signs/symptoms of cardiomyopathy or congenital heart defects | Comprehensive cardiac eval incl EKG echocardiography is recommended when a cardiac abnormality is suspected clinically or if genomic alteration is detected that deletes or duplicates part of KCNQ1 . |
Development | Assessment of speech-language skills | Esp in those w/history of macroglossia Assessment of development |
Genetic counseling | By genetics professionals6 | To inform affected persons their families re nature, MOI, implications of BWS to facilitate medical personal decision making Family support resources |
Proposed screening for neuroblastoma in children w/heterozygous pathogenic variant in CDKN1C Abdominal ultrasound |
Every 3 mos until age 6 yrs, then every 6 mos until age 10 yrs |
This screening has been variably incorporated into screenin... |
AI-curated news mentioning Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
Updated Aug 25, 2026
The FDA approved Genglycos (pariglasgene brecaparvovec-opnr) to reduce daily cornstarch intake in patients aged 8 years and older with glycogen storage disease type Ia. Known as Von Gierke disease, GSDIa is a rare metabolic disorder caused by a mutation in the G6PC gene. This genetic variation leads to a deficiency in glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), an enzyme needed to release glucose into the bloodstream. Without this enzyme, the body cannot properly maintain blood glucose levels, causing severe hypoglycemia and other serious metabolic complications · Pariglasgene brecaparvovec is an adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 8 based gene therapy that delivers a functional copy of the G6PC gene into liver cells, enabling the production of normally functioning G6Pase. Ultragenyx stated that as part of its postmarketing commitments to the FDA, the Company will provide 2 years of clinical data from open-label commercial treatment of 50 patients and 20 control patients through its existing GSDIa Disease Monitoring Program. ... Ultragenyx announces US FDA approval of Genglycos™ gene therapy, the first-ever FDA-approved treatment designed to treat the underlying cause of glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSDIa). “The reduced reliance on cornstarch, experienced by patients in our clinical studies, demonstrates this gene therapy’s ability to establish the normal breakdown of glycogen to produce glucose during fasting or episodes of metabolic stress. This ability to regulate glucose has alleviated the disease burden and has the potential to mitigate the risk of severe or life-threatening hypoglycemia for these patients.” Close more info about First Gene Therapy Approved for Glycogen Storage Disease Type la