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Living with Distal trisomy 6p

A rare chromosome condition with slow growth, a small head, delayed development, and distinct facial features, mostly around the eyes.

Understanding Distal trisomy 6p

Distal trisomy 6p is a rare condition caused by an extra piece of the short arm of chromosome 6.

People with this condition grow slowly before and after birth and have a small head and delayed development. The summary notes a pattern of facial features, mostly around the eyes. Some have eye movement or eyelid differences. Heart, lung, kidney, and eye differences have also been reported. Signs begin during pregnancy or in the newborn period.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Delays in overall development
  • Crossed eyes (strabismus)
  • Drooping upper eyelid (ptosis)
  • Rapid, involuntary eye movements (nystagmus)
  • Small lower jaw (micrognathia)
  • Fine hair and dry skin

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.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
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
Which eye specialist should see my child?
What heart and kidney tests does my child need?
What therapies could help with development?

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 the short arm of chromosome 6.

Genetic

Also known as: distal duplication 6p; distal trisomy 6p syndrome; distal trisomy type 6p; telomeric duplication 6p; trisomy 6pter

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · Distal trisomy 6pGARD ID 18745 · 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 6p.

Explore the Distal trisomy 6p blog

Explore research for Distal trisomy 6p

Explore actively recruiting Distal trisomy 6p studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Distal trisomy 6p 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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