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Living with Autosomal recessive amelia

A rare condition in which the arms are missing and the legs are severely underdeveloped.

Understanding Autosomal recessive amelia

Autosomal recessive amelia is a rare condition in which the upper limbs are missing and the lower limbs are severely underdeveloped.

Minor differences in the face have also been reported. These include a flat nasal root, an upturned nose, creases under the eyes, prominent cheeks, and a small lower jaw (micrognathia).

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition. The summary describes these features:

  • Absence of the upper limbs
  • Severe underdevelopment of the lower limbs
  • Flat nasal root and upturned nose
  • Creases under the eyes
  • Prominent cheeks
  • Small lower jaw (micrognathia)

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

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask which tests can help

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

Care & treatment

Care team
A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
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 rare disease patient organizations for support
  • 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
Would genetic testing help find the cause?
What chance is there of this happening again in a future pregnancy?
Which specialists should be on our care team?

Quick facts

InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

It is autosomal recessive, which means a child inherits a changed copy of a gene from each parent. GARD does not name a gene here.

Also known as: amelia, posterior, with pelvic and pulmonary hypoplasia syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Autosomal recessive ameliaGARD ID 16554 · 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 Autosomal recessive amelia.

Explore the Autosomal recessive amelia blog

Explore research for Autosomal recessive amelia

Explore actively recruiting Autosomal recessive amelia studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Autosomal recessive amelia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • 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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