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Living with Intellectual disability-obesity-brain malformations-facial dysmorphism syndrome

A rare genetic syndrome with moderate to severe intellectual disability, a small head, brain differences, and obesity.

Understanding Intellectual disability-obesity-brain malformations-facial dysmorphism syndrome

Intellectual disability-obesity-brain malformations-facial dysmorphism syndrome is a rare syndrome with moderate to severe intellectual disability and a small head.

Brain imaging shows differences such as a thin corpus callosum, a small cerebellum, and changes in white matter. Obesity and distinct facial features are also part of it. It begins in the newborn period or infancy.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Severe intellectual disability
  • Small head (microcephaly)
  • Brain differences on MRI
  • Obesity
  • Downturned corners of the mouth
  • Differences in the shape of the ears

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, genetic specialists and hormone specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in TRAPPC9 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
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Hormone specialists (endocrinologists)
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
Can genetic testing for the TRAPPC9 gene confirm the diagnosis?
How can we support healthy weight?
What do my child's brain scans show?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesTRAPPC9

Changes in the TRAPPC9 gene cause this condition. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticNeurologicalEndocrine

Also known as: autosomal recessive intellectual disability due to trappc9 (trafficking protein particle complex 9) deficiency; autosomal recessive intellectual disability due to trappc9 deficiency; intellectual disability, obesity, brain malformation, facial dysmorphism syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Intellectual disability-obesity-brain malformations-facial dysmorphism syndromeGARD ID 21521 · 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 Intellectual disability-obesity-brain malformations-facial dysmorphism syndrome.

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