Skip to content
knowrare
HealthSignal
Your condition community

Living with Symmetrical thalamic calcifications

A newborn brain condition with calcium deposits on both sides of the thalamus, with weak cry, poor feeding, and muscle tone problems.

Understanding Symmetrical thalamic calcifications

Symmetrical thalamic calcifications is a newborn condition with calcium deposits on both sides of a deep brain area called the thalamus.

Babies may have a low Apgar score at birth, muscle stiffness or marked floppiness, a weak or absent cry, poor feeding, and facial weakness. Seizures, a small head, and breathing trouble are also listed. Signs show in the newborn period.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Calcium deposits in the brain
  • Weak or absent cry
  • Poor feeding and slow weight gain
  • Muscle stiffness or floppiness
  • Seizures
  • Small head size

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
What feeding support does my baby need?
How can we manage seizures, if they occur?
Which tests could find the cause?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn

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

Neurological

Also known as: bilateral symmetrical thalamic gliosis; symmetrical thalamic calcification

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Symmetrical thalamic calcificationsGARD ID 5070 · 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 Symmetrical thalamic calcifications.

Explore the Symmetrical thalamic calcifications blog

Explore research for Symmetrical thalamic calcifications

Explore actively recruiting Symmetrical thalamic calcifications studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Symmetrical thalamic calcifications 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

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting Symmetrical thalamic calcifications studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

Get Signals for Symmetrical thalamic calcifications

Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.

HealthStoryfor Symmetrical thalamic calcifications

Create a living journal that talks back

HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Symmetrical thalamic calcifications experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.

Start your journal

Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.