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Living with Lethal osteosclerotic bone dysplasia

A rare inherited bone condition with dense, thick bones, facial differences, and brain changes, noticed before or at birth.

Understanding Lethal osteosclerotic bone dysplasia

Lethal osteosclerotic bone dysplasia is a rare inherited condition with widespread dense bones, facial differences, and brain changes.

Bones become abnormally dense (osteosclerosis), with extra bone forming on their surface. The face looks different, and the brain has calcium deposits. It may be noticed during pregnancy or in newborns.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Small head (microcephaly)
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Bulging eyes
  • Cleft palate
  • Small lower jaw (micrognathia)
  • Gum overgrowth

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 bone and joint specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in FAM20C 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
Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); 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 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 FAM20C gene testing help our family?
Which specialists should help with breathing and feeding?
What genetic counseling is available for future pregnancies?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy and as a Newborn
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesFAM20C

It is caused by changes in the FAM20C gene. A child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent (autosomal recessive).

Genetic

Also known as: osteomalacia, sclerosing, with cerebral calcification; osteosclerotic bone dysplasia; osteosclerotic bone dysplasia, lethal; raine dysplasia; raine syndrome; rns

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Lethal osteosclerotic bone dysplasiaGARD ID 282 · 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 osteosclerotic bone dysplasia.

Explore the Lethal osteosclerotic bone dysplasia blog

Explore research for Lethal osteosclerotic bone dysplasia

Explore actively recruiting Lethal osteosclerotic bone dysplasia studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Lethal osteosclerotic bone dysplasia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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  • 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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