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Living with Lethal omphalocele-cleft palate syndrome

A rare inherited condition with a belly wall opening (omphalocele) and cleft palate, present from before or at birth.

Understanding Lethal omphalocele-cleft palate syndrome

Lethal omphalocele-cleft palate syndrome is a rare inherited condition marked by an omphalocele together with a cleft palate.

An omphalocele is when organs push out through the belly button area. Other reported features include cleft lip, a split uvula, clubfeet on both sides, a divided uterus, and extra fluid in the brain. It may be noticed during pregnancy or at birth.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Omphalocele
  • Cleft palate
  • Cleft lip on one side
  • Split uvula (bifid uvula)
  • Receding chin
  • Extra fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus)

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, ear, nose, and throat specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

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

  4. Connect with expert centers

    World Craniofacial Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Expert lists: World Craniofacial Foundation
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 World Craniofacial Foundation and other patient organizations
  • 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 genetic testing help find the cause?
Which surgeons and specialists should be involved?
What genetic counseling is available for future pregnancies?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy and as a Newborn
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

A child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent (autosomal recessive). GARD does not name a gene.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: czeizel syndrome; lethal omphalocele with cleft palate syndrome

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Lethal omphalocele-cleft palate syndromeGARD ID 4079 · 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 omphalocele-cleft palate syndrome.

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