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Living with Short stature-wormian bones-dextrocardia syndrome

A rare condition present at birth with short height, extra skull bones and a heart on the right side of the chest.

Understanding Short stature-wormian bones-dextrocardia syndrome

Short stature-wormian bones-dextrocardia syndrome is a rare condition with differences in many parts of the body from birth.

It is marked by extra small bones in the skull (wormian bones), a heart that points to the right side of the chest (dextrocardia), and short stature from growth hormone deficiency. Other reported features include kidney differences, anal and genital differences, mild developmental delay and facial differences. Signs begin in the newborn and infant period.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Extra bones in the skull (wormian bones)
  • Heart pointing to the right (dextrocardia)
  • Short stature from low growth hormone
  • Small or missing kidney
  • Closed anus (anal atresia)
  • Small lower jaw (micrognathia)

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 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
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); 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 organs should be checked, such as the kidneys and heart?
Is growth hormone treatment an option?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant

GARD says changes in genes cause this condition, but it doesn't list the gene or how it is inherited.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: growth hormone deficiency with wormian bones, cardiac anomaly, and brachycamptodactyly; short stature, wormian bones, dextrocardia syndrome; stratton parker syndrome; stratton-parker syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Short stature-wormian bones-dextrocardia syndromeGARD ID 4856 · 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-wormian bones-dextrocardia syndrome.

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