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Living with X-linked intellectual disability-craniofacioskeletal syndrome

A rare X-linked condition with face and bone differences, with mild learning difficulty in females.

Understanding X-linked intellectual disability-craniofacioskeletal syndrome

X-linked intellectual disability-craniofacioskeletal syndrome is a rare inherited condition with differences in the face, skull, and bones.

Females have mild intellectual disability, a small head, short stature, skeletal features, and an extra fold in a brain area called the temporal lobe. In males, slow growth before birth and heart and urinary and genital differences have been reported. Signs begin during pregnancy, at birth, or in infancy.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Mild intellectual disability
  • Small head size (microcephaly)
  • Short stature
  • Drooping upper eyelids
  • Short fifth finger
  • Flat feet

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 and genetic 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); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
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
Is genetic counseling available for our family?
Which specialists should be on my child's care team?
Does the heart or urinary system need checking?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy, at Birth, and as an Infant
InheritanceX-Linked

GARD says changes in genes (variants) cause this condition and it follows X-linked inheritance. It doesn't name a gene.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: craniofacioskeletal syndrome; craniofacioskeletal syndrome, x-linked recessive, x-linked dominant

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · X-linked intellectual disability-craniofacioskeletal syndromeGARD ID 17009 · 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 X-linked intellectual disability-craniofacioskeletal syndrome.

Explore the X-linked intellectual disability-craniofacioskeletal syndrome blog

Explore research for X-linked intellectual disability-craniofacioskeletal syndrome

Explore actively recruiting X-linked intellectual disability-craniofacioskeletal syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for X-linked intellectual disability-craniofacioskeletal 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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