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Living with Moynahan syndrome

A rare genetic epilepsy syndrome with hair loss from birth, early seizures, intellectual disability, and delayed speech.

Understanding Moynahan syndrome

Moynahan syndrome is a rare genetic epilepsy syndrome that includes hair loss from birth.

It is marked by congenital alopecia (hair loss present from birth), epilepsy that starts early, intellectual disability, and speech delay. Large stature, delayed bone development, and an abnormal brain wave test (EEG) have also been associated.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list a set of most common symptoms for this condition. Its summary describes these features:

  • Hair loss present from birth
  • Seizures that start early
  • Intellectual disability
  • Delayed speech
  • Large stature
  • Delayed bone development

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
Is genetic testing available to confirm this diagnosis?
What seizure treatments and monitoring are right?
What speech and learning supports are available?

Quick facts

GARD describes this as a genetic syndrome but does not list a specific gene or inheritance pattern.

Also known as: alopecia-epilepsy-intellectual disability syndrome, moynahan type; alopecia, epilepsy, intellectual disability syndrome moynahan type; moynahan alopecia syndrome; moynahan's syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Moynahan syndromeGARD ID 606 · 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 Moynahan syndrome.

Explore the Moynahan syndrome blog

Explore research for Moynahan syndrome

Explore actively recruiting Moynahan syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Moynahan syndrome 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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