Developmental delay is often seen in children with 22q11. 2 deletion syndrome, including a delay in language. As the child grows older, intellectual disability and learning differences are likely to become more obvious. Verbal IQ is often greater than performance IQ as the child grows.

The prevalence of 22q11. 2DS has been estimated to be approximately 1/3000 to 1/6,000 live births. These numbers may well be higher due to the variability of the condition, difficulty in properly diagnosing, and lack of newborn screening.

22q11. 2 deletion is almost as common as Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome, which is a more widely recognized chromosomal disorder. Children with 22q11.

DiGeorge syndrome is caused by a problem with a person's genes, called 22q11 deletion. It is not usually passed on to a child by their parents, but it is in a few cases. It's often diagnosed soon after birth with a blood test to check for the genetic fault.