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Living with Cleft palate-large ears-small head syndrome

A rare genetic syndrome with cleft palate, large ears, a small head, and short stature starting before birth.

Understanding Cleft palate-large ears-small head syndrome

Cleft palate-large ears-small head syndrome is a rare genetic syndrome with cleft palate, large ears, a small head, and short stature.

Short stature begins before birth. Other features include bone differences, Pierre Robin sequence, kidney cysts and kidney tubule problems (proximal renal tubular acidosis), hypospadias, brain differences on imaging, seizures, low muscle tone, and developmental delay. GARD lists onset in the newborn period and infancy.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Cleft palate
  • Small head size (microcephaly)
  • Large, protruding ears
  • Short stature
  • Drooping upper eyelids
  • Funnel chest (pectus excavatum)

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 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.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    World Craniofacial Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Expert lists: World Craniofacial 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 World Craniofacial Foundation and other patient organizations
  • 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
Should the kidneys be checked, including kidney tubule function?
Should we watch for seizures and have brain imaging?
Which specialists should plan cleft and growth care?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant

GARD lists this condition as autosomal dominant but doesn't name a gene.

Genetic

Also known as: cleft palate, large ears, small head syndrome; cleft palate, microcephaly, large ears, and short stature; say barber hobbs syndrome; say-barber-hobbs syndrome

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Cleft palate-large ears-small head syndromeGARD ID 162 · 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 Cleft palate-large ears-small head syndrome.

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