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Living with Summitt syndrome

A rare condition with differences in the head, face, hands, and feet, and sometimes heart disease.

Understanding Summitt syndrome

Summitt syndrome is a rare condition with differences in the shape of the head and face, and in the hands and feet.

The head has a pointed shape, the nasal bridge is broad and flat, and the upper jaw is narrow. Hands and feet can have extra, short, joined, or bent fingers and toes. Obesity and heart disease present from birth also occur. GARD says it is considered a variant of Carpenter syndrome without intellectual disability.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet. The summary describes:

  • Pointed head shape
  • Broad, flat nasal bridge
  • Narrow upper jaw
  • Extra, short, or joined fingers and toes
  • Obesity
  • Heart disease present from 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

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
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
How should the heart be checked?
Should we see a craniofacial team about head shape?
Is genetic testing available for this condition?

Quick facts

GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Summitt syndromeGARD ID 127 · 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 Summitt syndrome.

Explore the Summitt syndrome blog

Explore research for Summitt syndrome

Explore actively recruiting Summitt syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Summitt 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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