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Living with Schisis association

A pattern in which two or more birth differences, such as neural tube defects, cleft lip or palate, omphalocele, or diaphragm hernia, occur together.

Understanding Schisis association

Schisis association describes the combination of two or more of a group of birth differences that occur together more often than expected by chance.

The group includes neural tube defects (such as anencephaly, encephalocele, and spina bifida), cleft lip or palate, omphalocele (an opening in the belly wall), and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. It is noticed during pregnancy or in newborns.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Neural tube defects (such as spina bifida)
  • Cleft lip or palate
  • Omphalocele
  • Diaphragmatic hernia
  • Premature birth
  • Small size for gestational age

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.

  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)
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
Which combination of differences was found, and what does it mean for care?
Which specialists should be involved?
Is genetic counseling available for future pregnancies?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy and as a Newborn

GARD says these differences occur together more often than random chance would suggest. It does not list a gene or inheritance pattern.

Neurological

Also known as: schisis association syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Schisis associationGARD ID 246 · 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 Schisis association.

Explore the Schisis association blog

Explore research for Schisis association

Explore actively recruiting Schisis association studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Schisis association 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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