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Living with Rolland-Debuqois syndrome

A rare bone condition affecting the growth of the spine and limbs before birth, often with breathing problems after birth.

Understanding Rolland-Debuqois syndrome

Rolland-Debuqois syndrome is a rare bone condition that affects how the spine and bones grow before birth.

It causes short arms and legs and large differences in the size and shape of the spine bones. Many babies have trouble soon after birth, including breathing problems. It is noticed during pregnancy or in newborns.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition. Its summary describes these:

  • Short arms and legs
  • Differences in size and shape of spine bones
  • Breathing problems after birth

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 bone and joint 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
Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); 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 for this condition?
What breathing support might be needed after birth?
What are the chances for future pregnancies?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy and as a Newborn
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive

It is autosomal recessive, so a child inherits a changed copy of a gene from each parent. GARD does not name a gene.

Genetic

Also known as: ddrd; dyssegmental dysplasia - rolland-desbuquois type; dyssegmental dysplasia, rolland-desbuquois type

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Rolland-Debuqois syndromeGARD ID 9810 · 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 Rolland-Debuqois syndrome.

Explore the Rolland-Debuqois syndrome blog

Explore research for Rolland-Debuqois syndrome

Explore actively recruiting Rolland-Debuqois syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Rolland-Debuqois 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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