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Living with Brachydactyly type A1

A rare genetic condition with short finger bones, short thumbs and big toes, and sometimes short stature.

Understanding Brachydactyly type A1

Brachydactyly type A1 is a rare limb condition present from birth, with shortened or underdeveloped middle finger and toe bones.

Middle finger bones are short and sometimes fused with the fingertip bones. The thumbs and big toes are also short. Short stature in adulthood has been reported.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Short middle finger bones
  • Short thumb
  • Short big toe
  • Short foot
  • Short stature
  • Cone-shaped ends of bones

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 bone and joint specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in IHH are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

Care & treatment

Care team
Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); 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 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
Can IHH gene testing confirm the diagnosis?
Should growth be followed by a specialist?
Do hand or foot differences need treatment?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant
GenesIHH

Changes in the IHH gene cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, so one changed copy of the gene is enough.

Genetic

Also known as: bda1; brachydactyly farabee type; brachydactyly, farabee type; farabee type brachydactyly; farabee-type brachydactyly; short stature with nonspecific skeletal abnormalities 2

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Brachydactyly type A1GARD ID 978 · 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 Brachydactyly type A1.

Explore the Brachydactyly type A1 blog

Explore research for Brachydactyly type A1

Explore actively recruiting Brachydactyly type A1 studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Brachydactyly type A1 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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