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Potocki-Lupski syndrome
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Condition

Potocki-Lupski syndrome

Potocki-Lupski syndrome is a condition resulting from an extra copy of a segment on chromosome 17, leading to developmental delays, intellectual disability, behavioral problems, and various physical characteristics.

Symptoms

Potocki-Lupski syndrome is a condition that results from having an extra copy (duplication) of a small piece of chromosome 17 in each cell. The duplication occurs on the short (p) arm of the chromosome at a position designated p11.2. This condition is also known as 17p11.2 duplication syndrome.

Infants with Potocki-Lupski syndrome may have weak muscle tone (hypotonia) and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) that lead to feeding problems. Some affected babies do not grow and gain weight at the expected rate (described as failure to thrive), and children with this condition tend to be shorter and weigh less than their peers. About 40 percent of babies with Potocki-Lupski syndrome are born with a heart defect, which in some cases is life-threatening.

Babies and children with Potocki-Lupski syndrome have delayed development, including delayed speech and language skills and gross motor skills such sitting, standing, and walking. As they get older, affected individuals have intellectual disability, which is usually mild to moderate, and ongoing difficulties with speech. Potocki-Lupski syndrome is also associated with behavioral problems, which can include attention problems, hyperactivity, compulsive or impulsive behaviors, and anxiety. Many people with this condition have characteristics of autism spectrum disorder, which affects social interaction and communication.

Other signs and symptoms of Potocki-Lupski syndrome can include vision and hearing problems, dental and skeletal abnormalities, and abnormal kidney development and function. Many affected individuals have problems with sleep, including short pauses in breathing during sleep (sleep apnea) and trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. The condition can also have subtle differences in facial features, including outside corners of the eyes that point downward (downward-slanting palpebral fissures), a triangular face with a pointed chin and a small jaw (micrognathia), and widely spaced eyes (hypertelorism).

Frequency

Potocki-Lupski syndrome affects an estimated 1 in 25,000 people worldwide. More than 50 affected individuals have been described in the medical literature.

Causes

Potocki-Lupski syndrome results from a duplication of genetic material at 17p11.2. In about two-thirds of affected individuals, the duplicated segment includes approximately 3.7 million DNA building blocks (base pairs), also written as 3.7 megabases (Mb). (A deletion of this segment causes a related condition called Smith-Magenis syndrome.) In the remaining one-third of cases, the duplication is larger or smaller, ranging from less than 1 Mb to almost 20 Mb. All of these duplications affect one of the two copies of chromosome 17 in each cell.

Although the duplicated region contains multiple genes, researchers believe that having an extra copy of one particular gene, RAI1, underlies many of the characteristic features of Potocki-Lupski syndrome. All of the duplications known to cause the condition contain this gene. The RAI1 gene provides instructions for making a protein that helps regulate the activity (expression) of other genes. Although most of the genes regulated by the RAI1 protein have not been identified, this protein appears to control the expression of several genes involved in daily (circadian) rhythms, such as the sleep-wake cycle. Studies suggest that the duplication increases the amount of RAI1 protein, which disrupts the expression of genes that influence circadian rhythms. These changes may account for the sleep disturbances that occur with Potocki-Lupski syndrome. It is unclear how an extra copy of the RAI1 gene leads to intellectual disability and the other signs and symptoms of this condition. Extra copies of other genes at 17p11.2 likely also contribute to the features of this disorder; the role of these genes is under study.

Inheritance

This condition has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, which means one copy of a 17p11.2 duplication in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder.

Most cases of Potocki-Lupski syndrome result from a de novo chromosomal duplication

Frequently Asked Questions

Life-threatening heart defects are present in about 40 percent of affected babies and require close monitoring and potential intervention. Severe feeding and swallowing difficulties can lead to aspiration or failure to thrive, necessitating careful management and sometimes feeding tubes. Regular check-ups for kidney function and vision/hearing problems are also important.
Parents may notice weak muscle tone (hypotonia), difficulties with feeding and swallowing (dysphagia), and a failure to grow and gain weight at the expected rate (failure to thrive). Developmental delays, particularly in speech and motor skills like sitting or walking, are also common early indicators.
Children with Potocki-Lupski syndrome often benefit from a multidisciplinary approach including physical therapy for motor skills, occupational therapy for daily living activities, speech and language therapy, and behavioral therapy for issues like attention problems or anxiety. Medical specialists, such as cardiologists for heart defects or nephrologists for kidney issues, may also be involved.
Potocki-Lupski syndrome is caused by a duplication on chromosome 17. In most cases, this duplication occurs spontaneously (de novo) and is not inherited from a parent. However, in some instances, a parent may carry a balanced chromosomal rearrangement that can lead to the duplication in their child, even if the parent shows no symptoms. Genetic counseling is recommended for families to understand the specific risk.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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