Quick Facts: Sturge-Weber Syndrome - Merck Manuals Consumer Version

Q: What causes Sturge-Weber syndrome?

Sturge-Weber syndrome is caused by an abnormal gene . This gene was accidentally damaged when the baby was still in the womb. The abnormal gene isn't inherited from the parents. Abnormal blood vessels that grow on the face cause a red or purple birthmark. Abnormal blood vessels that grow around the brain can cause brain damage or a stroke .

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What is Sturge-Weber syndrome?

What causes Sturge-Weber syndrome?

What are the symptoms of Sturge-Weber syndrome?

How do doctors know if my child has Sturge-Weber syndrome?

How do doctors treat Sturge-Weber syndrome?

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Sturge-Weber Syndrome

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Infants and young children
Adolescents
Adults in their 40s and 50s
Older adults

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Last full review/revision May 2020| Content last modified May 2020

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Sturge-Weber syndrome is a birth defect of small blood vessels.

Sturge-Weber syndrome causes a birthmark on the newborn's face
Most babies also have a blood vessel tumor (angioma) in the tissue covering the brain
Over time, children usually develop worsening eye and brain problems
Treatments can improve the appearance of the birthmark, and medicines can help some eye and brain problems

Sturge-Weber syndrome is caused by an abnormal gene. This gene was accidentally damaged when the baby was still in the womb. The abnormal gene isn't inherited from the parents.

Abnormal blood vessels that grow on the face cause a red or purple birthmark. Abnormal blood vessels that grow around the brain can cause brain damage or a stroke.

Babies have a birthmark on their face. The birthmark is usually on one side of the forehead and upper eyelid but may appear anywhere on the face. It's sometimes called a port-wine stain because the color ranges from light pink to deep purple.

In addition to the birthmark, the disorder can cause:

Seizures
Weakness on one side of the body
Difficulty seeing
Difficulty learning and thinking
Increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma) and sometimes the eye bulges out
Increased chance of a stroke during childhood

Doctors suspect Sturge-Weber syndrome in children who have the typical birthmark.

The doctors may order an MRI of the brain (a scan showing detailed pictures) to check for blood vessel tumors in the tissues covering the brain.

There's no cure for Sturge-Weber syndrome. Doctors treat the symptoms:

Medicines or surgery to control the seizures
Medicines or surgery for glaucoma
Aspirin in low doses to reduce the chance of a stroke
Laser treatment to lighten or remove the birthmark if desired

Generic Name	Select Brand Names
Aspirin	No US brand name

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Neurofibromatosis

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Sturge-Weber Syndrome

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