One to two percent of children born with this syndrome have a life expectancy of two to three years; however, most individuals reach adulthood and can live a life span into the fifties. Early treatment should be considered for the most severe issues with this condition to prolong life expectancy.

The majority of individuals with 22q11. 2DS will have an IQ in the range of 55-85 (general population average is 100). Problems with abstraction and comprehension in reading and math are usually apparent at school age. Severe intellectual disability is less frequent but may also be present with this syndrome.

Many children with 22q have some social difficulties, developmental delays or learning disabilities. For the majority, the symptoms are not severe or extensive enough to warrant an autism diagnosis. Individuals with 22q also share common health issues. Many have heart defects and immune problems.

The most common congenital heart defects are called conotruncal lesions and include interrupted aortic arch, truncus arteriosus, tetralogy of Fallot, and ventricular septal defects are also frequently diagnosed in children with 22q11. 2 deletion syndrome, as can other congenital heart defects.