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Living with Cataract-deafness-hypogonadism syndrome

An extremely rare condition with cataracts at birth, hearing loss, and low activity of the reproductive glands.

Understanding Cataract-deafness-hypogonadism syndrome

Cataract-deafness-hypogonadism syndrome is an extremely rare condition that has been described in only three brothers.

It involves cataracts present at birth, hearing loss from the inner ear, low activity of the gonads (hypogonadism), mild intellectual disability, extra body hair, and short stature. GARD notes there have been no further descriptions in the medical literature since 1995.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Cataract present at birth
  • Hearing loss (sensorineural)
  • Low activity of the gonads (hypogonadism)
  • Mild intellectual disability
  • Extra body hair (hypertrichosis)
  • Short stature

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, ear, nose, and throat specialists, eye disease specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

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

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists); Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists); 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
What hearing and eye care will be needed?
How should hormone and growth needs be checked?
Could genetic counseling help our family?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

GARD says changes in genes cause this condition. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive way, so a child inherits a changed copy of a gene from each parent.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: cataract-hearing loss-hypogonadism syndrome; cataracts, sensorineural deafness, hypogonadism, hypertrichosis and short stature; congenital cataract with deafness and hypogonadism syndrome; schaap taylor baraitser syndrome; schaap-taylor-baraitser syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Cataract-deafness-hypogonadism syndromeGARD ID 248 · 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 Cataract-deafness-hypogonadism syndrome.

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