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Living with Caudal appendage-deafness syndrome

A rare condition with a tail-like growth at birth, hearing loss, short stature, and intellectual disability.

Understanding Caudal appendage-deafness syndrome

Caudal appendage-deafness syndrome is a rare condition that includes a tail-like growth at the base of the spine (caudal appendage) and hearing loss.

Other features include short end bones in the fingers and toes, undescended testes, intellectual disability, short stature, and differences in facial shape. It has been described in identical twin boys. It begins in the newborn period.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Tail-like growth at the base of the spine
  • Hearing loss starting in infancy
  • Intellectual disability
  • Short stature
  • Undescended testes
  • Differences in the fingers or toes

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 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); 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 support will my child need?
How should growth and development be monitored?
Could genetic counseling help our family?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn

GARD says changes in genes cause this condition. No specific gene or inheritance pattern is listed.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: caudal appendage deafness syndrome; caudal appendage-hearing loss syndrome; lynch lee murday syndrome; lynch-lee-murday syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Caudal appendage-deafness syndromeGARD ID 1163 · 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 Caudal appendage-deafness syndrome.

Explore the Caudal appendage-deafness syndrome blog

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  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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