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Living with BRESEK syndrome

A rare X-linked syndrome with brain, skin, bone, ear, eye, and kidney differences and severe intellectual disability.

Understanding BRESEK syndrome

BRESEK syndrome is a rare genetic syndrome whose name stands for Brain, Retardation, Ectodermal dysplasia, Skeletal, Ear/eye, and Kidney differences.

It involves brain differences, severe intellectual disability, ectodermal dysplasia (differences in skin, hair, and nails), and bone differences such as spine changes, scoliosis, and extra fingers. Ears and eyes can be affected, with hearing loss and small optic nerves, and the kidneys may be underdeveloped. It is noted in childhood.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Severe intellectual disability and developmental delay
  • Small head (microcephaly)
  • Hearing loss and low-set ears
  • Eye differences, such as small eyeballs and coloboma
  • Cleft palate
  • Hair loss and extra little finger

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 brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in MBTPS2 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
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); 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 MBTPS2 gene testing confirm the diagnosis?
How should hearing, vision, and kidney function be checked?
Which specialists should be on our care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startChild
InheritanceX-Linked
GenesMBTPS2

Changes in the MBTPS2 gene cause this condition. It is inherited in an X-linked way.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: brain anomaly, severe intellectual disability, ectodermal dysplasia, skeletal deformity, ear anomaly, kidney dysplasia syndrome; brain anomaly, severe mental retardation, ectodermal dysplasia, skeletal deformity, ear anomaly, kidney dysplasia syndrome; bresek (brain anomaly, severe mental retardation, ectodermal dysplasia, skeletal deformity, ear anomaly, kidney dysplasia) syndrome; bresheck syndrome; x-linked mental retardation reish type

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · BRESEK syndromeGARD ID 16746 · 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 BRESEK syndrome.

Explore the BRESEK syndrome blog

Explore research for BRESEK syndrome

Explore actively recruiting BRESEK syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for BRESEK syndrome 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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