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Living with Uncombable hair, retinal pigmentary dystrophy, dental anomaly and brachydactyly syndrome

A rare genetic condition with uncombable hair, early cataracts, retina changes, tooth differences, and short fingers.

Understanding Uncombable hair, retinal pigmentary dystrophy, dental anomaly and brachydactyly syndrome

Uncombable hair, retinal pigmentary dystrophy, dental anomaly and brachydactyly syndrome is a rare genetic ectodermal dysplasia that affects hair, eyes, teeth, and hands.

People have uncombable hair and sparse hair, tooth differences, early-onset cataract, changes to the retina, and short hand bones and fingers. Hyperactivity and mild intellectual disability have been reported. It is noticed at birth.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Uncombable hair
  • Sparse hair
  • Fewer than usual or extra teeth
  • Cataract at a young age (juvenile cataract)
  • Retina pigment changes
  • Short fingers or toes (brachydactyly)

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 skin, hair, and nail specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

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

  4. Connect with expert centers

    National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
Expert care
Expert lists: National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias
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 National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias and other patient organizations
  • 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
Which eye specialist should check for cataracts and retina changes?
Which dental care would help?
Would genetic counseling help our family?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant

GARD says changes in genes (variants) cause this condition and that it is autosomal dominant, so one changed copy of a gene can be enough. It doesn't name a specific gene.

GeneticSkin

Also known as: bork syndrome; tricho-retino-dento-digital syndrome; uncombable hair-retinal pigmentary dystrophy-dental anomalies-brachydactyly syndrome; uncombable hair, retinal pigmentary dystrophy, dental anomalies, and brachydactyly

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Uncombable hair, retinal pigmentary dystrophy, dental anomaly and brachydactyly syndromeGARD ID 938 · 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 Uncombable hair, retinal pigmentary dystrophy, dental anomaly and brachydactyly syndrome.

Explore the Uncombable hair, retinal pigmentary dystrophy, dental anomaly and brachydactyly syndrome blog

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