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Living with CADDS

A rare X-linked condition affecting the brain, liver, hearing, and growth from before birth.

Understanding CADDS

CADDS is a rare genetic condition that affects the nervous system and metabolism, starting before or soon after birth.

It involves very slow growth before birth, poor weight gain, very low muscle tone, and severe delays in development. Other findings are high levels of certain fats in the blood (very long chain fatty acids), poor bile flow in newborns (cholestasis) with liver problems, seizures, eye and hearing differences, and brain differences.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Severe delays in development
  • Slow growth before birth
  • Seizures
  • Hearing loss (sensorineural)
  • Poor bile flow (cholestasis)
  • Changes in the brain's white matter

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, digestive system 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

    United Leukodystrophy Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Digestive system specialists (gastroenterologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Expert lists: United Leukodystrophy 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 United Leukodystrophy Foundation
  • 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 genetic testing confirm the diagnosis?
How will liver, hearing, and vision be monitored?
Which specialists should be on our care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceX-Linked

Changes in genes cause this condition. It is inherited in an X-linked way.

GeneticNeurologicalGastrointestinalInherited Metabolic

Also known as: contiguous abcd1 dxs1357e deletion syndrome; contiguous abcd1/dxs1375e deletion syndrome; zellweger-like contiguous gene deletion syndrome

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · CADDSGARD ID 12472 · 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 CADDS.

Explore the CADDS blog

Explore research for CADDS

Explore actively recruiting CADDS studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for CADDS 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

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting CADDS studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

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

Get Signals for CADDS

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HealthStoryfor CADDS

Create a living journal that talks back

HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your CADDS experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.

Start your CADDS journal

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