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Living with X-linked intellectual disability-plagiocephaly syndrome

A rare X-linked condition with severe learning disability and a flattened, short skull in males.

Understanding X-linked intellectual disability-plagiocephaly syndrome

X-linked intellectual disability-plagiocephaly syndrome is a rare condition with severe intellectual disability and an unusually shaped skull.

Males have a short, broad skull (brachycephaly), a flattened head (plagiocephaly), and a prominent forehead. Females may have moderate intellectual disability without skull and facial differences. There have been no further descriptions in medical writing since 1992.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Severe intellectual disability
  • Flat head shape (plagiocephaly)
  • Short, broad skull (brachycephaly)
  • Prominent forehead
  • Delayed speech and language
  • 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 bone and joint specialists, 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.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    World Craniofacial Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Expert lists: World Craniofacial Foundation
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 World Craniofacial Foundation 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 specialists should be on my child's care team?
What therapies can support speech and learning?
Is genetic counseling available for our family?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn 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: hyde forster mccarthy berry syndrome; hyde forster-mccarthy-berry syndrome; mental retardation, x-linked hyde-forster type; x-linked intellectual disability with plagiocephaly syndrome

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · X-linked intellectual disability-plagiocephaly syndromeGARD ID 2765 · 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-plagiocephaly syndrome.

Explore the X-linked intellectual disability-plagiocephaly syndrome blog

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

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  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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