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Living with Congenital heart defect-round face-developmental delay syndrome

A very rare syndrome with a heart difference, a round face, short stature and intellectual disability.

Understanding Congenital heart defect-round face-developmental delay syndrome

Congenital heart defect-round face-developmental delay syndrome is a very rare syndrome described in three siblings of one Japanese family.

It includes congenital heart disease, a round face with a flat nose bridge and small mouth, short stature, relatively dark skin, typical fingerprint differences and intellectual disability. It is seen in newborns and infants.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Heart differences present from birth
  • Round face with flat nose
  • Small mouth
  • Short stature
  • Darker skin
  • Intellectual disability

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 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); 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 heart care will be needed?
Is genetic testing available for our family?
What developmental supports can help?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

GARD doesn't name a gene here. It is autosomal recessive, so a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: congenital heart defect with round face and developmental delay syndrome; round face with depressed nasal bridge and small mouth, congenital heart defect, and retarded development; sonoda syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Congenital heart defect-round face-developmental delay syndromeGARD ID 4905 · 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 Congenital heart defect-round face-developmental delay syndrome.

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