Definition of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome:

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a congenital (present from birth) growth disorder that causes large body size, large organs, and other problems.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is unknown, but it may be genetic. Eighty percent of cases are associated with a defect in chromosome number 11.

Infancy can be a critical period because of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), omphalocele (when present), and an increased rate of tumor development, with Wilm's tumor and adrenal carcinoma being most common.