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Living with Lethal congenital contracture syndrome 4

A rare genetic condition affecting how muscles and joints develop before birth, causing stiffness and contractions.

Understanding Lethal congenital contracture syndrome 4

Lethal congenital contracture syndrome 4 is a rare genetic condition caused by a specific change in the MYBPC1 gene.

It causes severe muscle contractions and stiffness. It belongs to a group of conditions that affect muscle and joint development before birth.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms beyond muscle contractions and stiffness.

  • Severe muscle contractions
  • Muscle stiffness

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

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask which tests can help

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

Care & treatment

Care team
A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
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 MYBPC1 gene testing help our family?
What can ultrasound before birth show for this condition?
What genetic counseling is available for future pregnancies?

Quick facts

InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

It is caused by a specific change in the MYBPC1 gene, on chromosome 12q23. A child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent (autosomal recessive).

Also known as: lccs4; lethal congenital contracture syndrome caused by mutation in mybpc1; lethal congenital contracture syndrome type 4; mybpc1 lethal congenital contracture syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Lethal congenital contracture syndrome 4GARD ID 12645 · 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 Lethal congenital contracture syndrome 4.

Explore the Lethal congenital contracture syndrome 4 blog

Explore research for Lethal congenital contracture syndrome 4

Explore actively recruiting Lethal congenital contracture syndrome 4 studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Lethal congenital contracture syndrome 4 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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