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Living with Muscular hypertrophy-hepatomegaly-polyhydramnios syndrome

A rare genetic condition with enlarged muscles and liver, extra fluid in pregnancy, and mild delays in development.

Understanding Muscular hypertrophy-hepatomegaly-polyhydramnios syndrome

Muscular hypertrophy-hepatomegaly-polyhydramnios syndrome is a rare genetic condition with larger muscles, an enlarged liver, and extra amniotic fluid.

People have muscles that are larger than usual on both sides of the body, an enlarged liver, and a larger head. There is extra fluid around the baby during pregnancy (polyhydramnios). Motor skills, speech, and language develop a little later than usual. GARD lists onset at birth and in infancy.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Larger head size at birth (macrocephaly)
  • Extra fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus)
  • Muscle weakness (muscular dystrophy)
  • Cleft in the lip or mouth (orofacial cleft)
  • Eye differences
  • Differences in the genital area

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 and genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

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

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); 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
Is genetic testing available to find the cause?
Which specialists should follow my child's growth and development?
How should the liver and muscles be monitored?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant

GARD says changes in genes cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, which means one changed copy of a gene can be enough to cause it.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: muscular hypertrophy, hepatomegaly, polyhydramnios syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Muscular hypertrophy-hepatomegaly-polyhydramnios syndromeGARD ID 21441 · 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 Muscular hypertrophy-hepatomegaly-polyhydramnios syndrome.

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