Living with Ring chromosome 16
A very rare chromosome change causing slow growth, intellectual disability, a small head, and delayed speech.
Understanding Ring chromosome 16
Features include slow growth after birth, intellectual disability, a small head size, a wide flat nasal bridge, a downturned mouth, low-set oddly shaped ears, and delayed speech. It can be noticed during pregnancy, at birth, or in infancy.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Intellectual disability
- Delayed speech
- Slow growth in childhood
- Small head size (microcephaly)
- Low-set ears
- Wide nasal bridge and downturned mouth
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists.
- 3Ask 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
Quick facts
It is a chromosome change in which chromosome 16 forms a ring. GARD does not name a gene or list an inheritance pattern.
Also known as: ring 16; ring chromosome 16 syndrome; ring chromosome type 16
Patient organizations
- Chromosome Disorder OutreachChromosome disorders · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Ring chromosome 16.
Explore research for Ring chromosome 16
Explore actively recruiting Ring chromosome 16 studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Ring chromosome 16 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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