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Living with 8q12 microduplication syndrome

A newly described condition that can affect hearing, the heart, and development, with low muscle tone in infancy.

Understanding 8q12 microduplication syndrome

8q12 microduplication syndrome is a newly described condition that affects several parts of the body.

Features include hearing loss, heart defects present from birth, intellectual disability, low muscle tone in infancy, and Duane anomaly, an eye movement difference. GARD lists onset as the newborn and infant period.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Hearing loss (sensorineural)
  • Heart defects (atrial or ventricular septal defects)
  • Global developmental delay
  • Low muscle tone (hypotonia)
  • Eye movement difference (Duane anomaly)
  • Attention deficit (ADHD)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include eye disease specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Chromosome Disorder Outreach
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Should my child have regular hearing tests?
Does my child need a heart evaluation and an eye specialist?
What therapies can help with low muscle tone?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant

GARD says changes in genes (also called variants) cause this condition. The summary describes it as an extra piece (microduplication) of chromosome 8.

Genetic

Also known as: dup(8)(q12); trisomy 8q12

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · 8q12 microduplication syndromeGARD ID 12816 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with 8q12 microduplication syndrome.

Explore the 8q12 microduplication syndrome blog

Explore research for 8q12 microduplication syndrome

Explore actively recruiting 8q12 microduplication syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for 8q12 microduplication syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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