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Living with Van den Bosch syndrome

A very rare X-linked condition affecting learning, eyes, skin, and sweating, with no new reports since 1959.

Understanding Van den Bosch syndrome

Van den Bosch syndrome is a very rare X-linked condition with intellectual disability along with eye, skin, and shoulder blade differences.

GARD lists intellectual disability, choroideremia (a progressive eye condition), quick eye movements, severe nearsightedness, a skin difference, lack of sweating, and winging of the shoulder blades. GARD notes there have been no further descriptions in medical writing since 1959.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these:

  • Intellectual disability
  • Eye condition (choroideremia)
  • Quick, side-to-side eye movements (nystagmus)
  • Severe nearsightedness (myopia)
  • Lack of sweating (anhidrosis)
  • Shoulder blades that stick out (winging)

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
Which specialists should be involved in care?
How can the eye changes be monitored?
Is genetic counseling available for our family?

Quick facts

InheritanceX-Linked

GARD lists X-linked inheritance. It doesn't name a gene.

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Van den Bosch syndromeGARD ID 5453 · 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 Van den Bosch syndrome.

Explore the Van den Bosch syndrome blog

Explore research for Van den Bosch syndrome

Explore actively recruiting Van den Bosch syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Van den Bosch 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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