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Living with CLAPO syndrome

A rare condition with blood or lymph vessel malformations of the lip, face, and neck and overgrowth of parts of the body.

Understanding CLAPO syndrome

CLAPO syndrome is a rare vascular malformation syndrome with a lower lip capillary malformation, facial and neck lymphatic malformation, and overgrowth.

The name stands for the main features: capillary malformation of the lower lip, lymphatic malformation of the face and neck, asymmetry of the face and limbs, and partial or generalized overgrowth of one or more body segments. GARD lists onset during pregnancy, at birth, and in infancy.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Capillary malformation of the lip
  • Strawberry-type birthmark
  • Overgrowth of one side of the body
  • Facial asymmetry
  • Overgrown fingers
  • Slow weight gain

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 genetic specialists and hormone specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in PIK3CA 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
Genetic specialists (geneticists); Hormone specialists (endocrinologists)
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 PIK3CA genetic testing confirm the diagnosis?
How should the malformations and overgrowth be monitored?
Which specialists should be on my child's care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy, at Birth, and as an Infant
GenesPIK3CA

GARD lists the PIK3CA gene for this condition but doesn't describe the cause further.

GeneticEndocrine

Also known as: capillary malformation of lower lip, lymphatic malformation of face and neck, asymmetry of face and limbs and overgrowth syndrome; capillary malformation of the lower lip, lymphatic malformation of face and neck, asymmetry of face and limbs, and partial/generalized overgrowth; clapo (capillary malformation of lower lip, lymphatic malformation of face and neck, asymmetry of face and limbs and overgrowth) syndrome; clapo syndrome, somatic; lopez-gutierrez syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · CLAPO syndromeGARD ID 17044 · 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 CLAPO syndrome.

Explore the CLAPO syndrome blog

Explore research for CLAPO syndrome

Explore actively recruiting CLAPO syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for CLAPO 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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