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Living with PHAVER syndrome

A rare inherited condition present from birth with webbing of the limbs, heart differences, and bone and ear differences.

Understanding PHAVER syndrome

PHAVER syndrome is a rare inherited condition with several differences present from birth.

The name stands for limb pterygia (webbing), heart anomalies, autosomal recessive inheritance, vertebral defects, ear anomalies, and radial defects (forearm bone differences). Signs are seen in newborns and infants.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Differences in the spine bones (vertebrae)
  • Hole between the lower heart chambers
  • Hearing loss from the middle ear
  • Low-set, backward-rotated ears
  • Broad thumbs, sometimes with three bones
  • Joint 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

    Specialists who may be involved include 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
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
What heart tests are needed?
How should hearing be checked and supported?
Which orthopedic care can help with the limb and spine differences?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

Changes in the genes (also called variants) cause this condition. It is autosomal recessive, which means a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

Genetic

Also known as: phaver (pterygia, heart anomaly, autosomal recessive inheritance, vertebral defect, ear anomaly, radial defect) syndrome; powell chandra saal syndrome; powell-chandra-saal syndrome; pterygia, heart anomaly, autosomal recessive inheritance, vertebral defect, ear anomaly, radial defect syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · PHAVER syndromeGARD ID 4465 · 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 PHAVER syndrome.

Explore the PHAVER syndrome blog

Explore research for PHAVER syndrome

Explore actively recruiting PHAVER syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for PHAVER 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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