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Living with Auricular abnormalities-cleft lip with or without cleft palate-ocular abnormalities syndrome

A rare genetic syndrome present from birth with ear differences, cleft lip with or without cleft palate, and eye differences.

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Understanding Auricular abnormalities-cleft lip with or without cleft palate-ocular abnormalities syndrome

Auricular abnormalities-cleft lip with or without cleft palate-ocular abnormalities syndrome is a rare genetic syndrome with ear differences, cleft lip, and eye differences.

Ear differences include external ear changes and small pits behind the ear. It can also include nearsightedness, rapid eye movements, and differences in the retina. It is seen during pregnancy and from birth through infancy.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Differently shaped ears and small pits near the ears
  • Cleft lip, with or without cleft palate
  • Nearsightedness (myopia)
  • Rapid eye movements (nystagmus)
  • Small head and small lower jaw
  • Funnel chest and curved spine

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 ear, nose, and throat specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

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

  4. Connect with expert centers

    World Craniofacial Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Expert lists: World Craniofacial Foundation
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 World Craniofacial Foundation and other patient organizations
  • 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
Which team should care for the cleft lip and palate?
How often should vision and eyes be checked?
Would genetic testing help our family?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy, at Birth, and as an Infant

GARD says changes in genes (also called variants) cause this syndrome but doesn't list a specific gene or inheritance pattern.

Genetic

Also known as: auricular abnormality, cleft lip, ocular abnormality syndrome

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Auricular abnormalities-cleft lip with or without cleft palate-ocular abnormalities syndromeGARD ID 18933 · 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 Auricular abnormalities-cleft lip with or without cleft palate-ocular abnormalities syndrome.

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Explore research for Auricular abnormalities-cleft lip with or without cleft palate-ocular abnormalities syndrome

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