title: Affinity for music in Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome: two case reports.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome is a congenital malformation syndrome resulting from deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4. Individuals with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome may have a "Greek warrior helmet" appearance, growth retardation, developmental delay, muscular hypotonia, epilepsy, and difficulty with language including verbal communication. An affinity for music has not previously been reported in these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe two patients with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome who both have a strong affinity for music. One patient is a 20-year-old woman who likes to listen to music all day and can hum many tunes. The other patient is a 9-year-old girl who is calmed by music and received music therapy, with subsequent improvement in her communication skills (eye contact, joint attention, and vocalizations to request music).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome may have a strong affinity for music and may benefit from music therapy. Additional studies are needed to investigate the interest in music in individuals with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Chikako
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arakawa
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Education Planning, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: fuchigami.tatsuo@nihon-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fuchigami
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Wakako
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Ayumi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryutaro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kohira
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Shori
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009146:Music / Q000523:psychology*; D009147:Music Therapy; D054877:Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome; chromosomal disorder; communication skills; music; music therapy