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Living with Trisomy 5p

A chromosome condition with an extra piece of chromosome 5 that can affect learning, behavior, and the face.

Understanding Trisomy 5p

Trisomy 5p is a chromosome condition in which there is an extra copy of genetic material on the short arm (p) of chromosome 5.

Severity depends on the size and place of the duplication. Features often include developmental delay, intellectual disability, behavior problems, and distinctive facial features. It starts during pregnancy and is noticed in the newborn period.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Developmental delay
  • Intellectual disability
  • Short stature
  • Larger than usual head (macrocephaly)
  • Round face and wide-set eyes
  • Scoliosis

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 eye disease specialists, genetic specialists and hormone specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

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

Care & treatment

Care team
Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Hormone specialists (endocrinologists)
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 Chromosome Disorder Outreach
  • 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 does the size of the duplication mean for my child?
Would chromosome testing of both parents help?
Which specialists should check development, hormones, and kidneys?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy and as a Newborn

It is caused by an extra piece of chromosome 5. GARD says most cases are not inherited, but a person with the duplication can pass it on to their children.

GeneticEndocrine

Also known as: 5p partial trisomy; chromosome 5, trisomy 5p; duplication 5p; duplication of the short arm of chromosome 5; partial trisomy of short arm of chromosome 5; trisomy of the short arm of chromosome 5

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · Trisomy 5pGARD ID 6093 · 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 Trisomy 5p.

Explore the Trisomy 5p blog

Explore research for Trisomy 5p

Explore actively recruiting Trisomy 5p studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Trisomy 5p 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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