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Living with Ring chromosome 11

A rare chromosome change that can cause slow growth, short height, a small head, developmental delay, and café-au-lait spots.

Understanding Ring chromosome 11

Ring chromosome 11 is a rare chromosome condition in which chromosome 11 forms a ring.

Features vary. They include early slow growth, short stature, a small head size, developmental delay, and some intellectual disability. People may have distinct facial features and light-brown skin spots (café-au-lait spots). Some have heart or hormone differences. It can start during pregnancy, at birth, or in infancy.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Global developmental delay
  • Intellectual disability
  • Short stature and lower body weight
  • Small head size (microcephaly)
  • Café-au-lait spots
  • Distinct facial features

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 Chromosome Disorder Outreach
  • 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
Should the heart and hormones be checked?
What therapies can help with speech and learning?
How should growth be monitored?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy, at Birth, and as an Infant

It is a chromosome change in which chromosome 11 forms a ring. GARD does not name a gene or list an inheritance pattern.

Genetic

Also known as: r(11) syndrome; rc11; ring 11; ring chromosome 11 syndrome; ring chromosome type 11

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · Ring chromosome 11GARD ID 10846 · 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 Ring chromosome 11.

Explore the Ring chromosome 11 blog

Explore research for Ring chromosome 11

Explore actively recruiting Ring chromosome 11 studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Ring chromosome 11 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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