Velo-cardio-facial (Shprintzen's) Syndrome, violence and schizophrenia

Abstract

Shprintzen's Syndrome, or Velo-cardio-facial Syndrome (VCFS), is an autosomal dominant multiple anomaly disorder linked to a hemizygous interstitial deletion of chromosome 22q11. We believe this is the first reported case of schizophrenia coexisting with VCFS in a patient whose genotype does not show the characteristic micro-deletion. Second, the association of VCFS with violent fantasies and dangerous behaviour has not been reported and provides an interesting dimension to the study of 'dangerousness'. It is important that psychiatrists keep in mind the possibility that dangerous behaviour may be associated with specific, though perhaps rare, clinical syndromes. However, the nature of the association between the two needs to be established.

Keywords:

• Velo-CARDIO-FACIAL Syndrome
• Shprintzen'S Syndrome
• Violence
• Schizophrenia
• 22q11