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Living with Distal trisomy 14q

A rare chromosome condition with slow growth, low muscle tone, delays in development, and often heart differences.

Understanding Distal trisomy 14q

Distal trisomy 14q is a rare condition caused by an extra piece of the long arm of chromosome 14.

Features vary but most often include low birth weight, slow growth, low muscle tone, and delays in development and learning. People may have short height, a small head, distinct facial features, and heart differences present from birth. Stiff muscles (spasticity) and exaggerated reflexes may also occur. Signs begin during pregnancy or in the newborn period.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Short height
  • Cognitive (thinking and learning) impairment
  • Hearing loss
  • Glaucoma (eye pressure problem)
  • Open duct near the heart (patent ductus arteriosus)
  • Underdeveloped corpus callosum (part of the brain)

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 eye disease 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
Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists); 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 Chromosome Disorder Outreach
  • 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 tests does my child need?
How often should hearing and eyes be checked?
Which specialists should be on my child's care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy and as a Newborn

GARD says changes in a person's genes cause this condition. The summary describes it as an extra copy of part of the long arm of chromosome 14.

Genetic

Also known as: distal duplication 14q; distal trisomy type 14q; telomeric duplication 14q; trisomy 14qter

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · Distal trisomy 14qGARD ID 18739 · 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 Distal trisomy 14q.

Explore the Distal trisomy 14q blog

Explore research for Distal trisomy 14q

Explore actively recruiting Distal trisomy 14q studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Distal trisomy 14q 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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