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Living with Short stature-craniofacial anomalies-genital hypoplasia syndrome

A rare genetic condition with short height, severe learning challenges, facial differences and underdeveloped genitals.

Understanding Short stature-craniofacial anomalies-genital hypoplasia syndrome

Short stature-craniofacial anomalies-genital hypoplasia syndrome is a rare condition that develops before birth and affects growth, the face, and the genitals.

People have severe intellectual disability, short stature, and underdeveloped sex glands (hypogonadism), so puberty may be delayed. Facial features can include a prominent forehead, flat face, widely spaced eyes and a small mouth. Some have a cleft palate. Slender hands and feet are common. Other features can include heart differences, scoliosis, clubfeet, an underactive thyroid and seizures. Signs begin in the newborn and infant period.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Short stature
  • Intellectual disability
  • Delayed puberty
  • Small head (microcephaly)
  • Cleft palate
  • Long, slender fingers

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 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
Can genetic testing help find the cause?
Which specialists, such as a hormone doctor, should be involved?
Should the heart and thyroid be checked?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant

GARD doesn't list a gene. The condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning one changed copy of a gene is enough.

Genetic

Also known as: haspeslagh fryns muelenaere syndrome; haspeslagh syndrome; haspeslagh-fryns-muelenaere syndrome; short stature with craniofacial anomalies and genital hypoplasia syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Short stature-craniofacial anomalies-genital hypoplasia syndromeGARD ID 2605 · 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 Short stature-craniofacial anomalies-genital hypoplasia syndrome.

Explore the Short stature-craniofacial anomalies-genital hypoplasia syndrome blog

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