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Living with Preaxial polydactyly-colobomata-intellectual disability syndrome

A very rare syndrome present from birth with intellectual disability, slow growth, an extra thumb on one side and eye differences called colobomas.

Understanding Preaxial polydactyly-colobomata-intellectual disability syndrome

Preaxial polydactyly-colobomata-intellectual disability syndrome is a rare condition with several birth differences, including intellectual disability and eye colobomas.

It includes slow growth and an extra thumb on one hand. Colobomas are gaps in parts of the eye such as the iris, optic nerve head, choroid and retina. There have been no further descriptions in the literature since 1987.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Intellectual disability
  • Developmental delay
  • Extra thumb (preaxial polydactyly)
  • Gaps in the back of the eye (colobomas)
  • Vision problems
  • Glaucoma (less common)

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
How will the colobomas affect vision, and what support is available?
Would genetic testing help our family?
Which therapies can support learning and development?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

GARD says changes in genes cause this condition but doesn't name a gene. It is autosomal recessive, meaning a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: pfeiffer mayer syndrome; pfeiffer-mayer syndrome; preaxial polydactyly, colobomata, intellectual disability syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Preaxial polydactyly-colobomata-intellectual disability syndromeGARD ID 4304 · 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 Preaxial polydactyly-colobomata-intellectual disability syndrome.

Explore the Preaxial polydactyly-colobomata-intellectual disability syndrome blog

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