Riley-Day syndrome Health Article

Complications

The following complications occur in about 40% of patients with this condition:

• Blotching of the face and torso
• Excessive sweating of the head and torso
• High blood pressure (hypertension) and rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Mottling of the hands and feet
• Nausea/vomiting
• Severe difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), drooling
• Worsening of muscle tone

Calling your health care provider

Call your doctor if symptoms change or get worse. A genetic counselor can help clarify information about the condition and tell you how to contact support groups in your area.

Prevention

People who are of an Eastern European Jewish background and families with a history of Riley-Day syndrome who are thinking of having children can seek genetic counseling to discuss their risk and undergo testing, when appropriate.

Genetic testing by DNA is very accurate for Riley-Day syndrome. It may be used for diagnosing affected individuals, detecting carriers, and prenatal diagnosis.