ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Potocki-Lupski syndrome

Potocki-Lupski Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that happens when some of our genes get copied too many times by mistake.

Let's imagine that our genes are like a recipe book that tells our body how to grow and work. We get one recipe book from each of our parents and they mix together to make us unique. In some cases, a part of the recipe book gets copied too many times and this can cause problems.

Like when you copy a picture too many times, the picture becomes blurry and hard to see. When genes are copied too many times, they can make it hard for our body to work properly. This can cause a variety of symptoms, like developmental delays, speech difficulties, anxiety, and problems with coordination.

Potocki-Lupski Syndrome is named after the doctors who first discovered it and it is very rare. Doctors and scientists are still learning about this condition so they can help people who have it.