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Living with Craniofacial dysmorphism, skeletal anomalies, and impaired intellectual development 1

A rare genetic condition (cerebro-facio-thoracic dysplasia) with intellectual disability, distinct facial features, and rib and spine bone differences.

Understanding Craniofacial dysmorphism, skeletal anomalies, and impaired intellectual development 1

Craniofacial dysmorphism, skeletal anomalies, and impaired intellectual development 1 (cerebro-facio-thoracic dysplasia) is a rare condition affecting the brain, face, and torso.

It causes severe intellectual disability, distinct facial features, and rib and spine bone differences. Speech and movement skills are delayed, and in some people they never develop. Nearly one-quarter never learn to speak and almost half cannot walk. Some infants have low muscle tone and feeding trouble. Many people are described as friendly and good-natured, though some have anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, or self-injury.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Intellectual disability
  • Distinct facial features
  • Rib differences, such as split ribs
  • Spine bone differences
  • Delayed speech and movement
  • Feeding difficulties

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 bone and joint specialists, brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in TMCO1 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
Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); 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
Would TMCO1 gene testing help our family?
What therapies and early support can help my child?
How should the ribs, spine, and breathing be monitored?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy and as a Newborn
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesTMCO1

It is caused by changes in the TMCO1 gene. It is autosomal recessive, meaning a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: cerebrofaciothoracic dysplasia; cfsmr1; pascual-castroviejo syndrome type 1

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Craniofacial dysmorphism, skeletal anomalies, and impaired intellectual development 1GARD ID 1210 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

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Perspectives from people navigating life with Craniofacial dysmorphism, skeletal anomalies, and impaired intellectual development 1.

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