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A sclerosing disorder of the skeleton characterized by increased bone density that classically displays the radiographic sign of ''sandwich vertebrae'' (dense bands of sclerosis parallel to the vertebral endplates).
Features include very common findings: Mandibular osteomyelitis, Facial palsy, Recurrent fractures, and Generalized osteosclerosis and others; and common findings: Abnormality of the dentition, Damage to the optic nerve (optic atrophy), Low red blood cell count (anemia), and Sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis) and others. 45 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Bones and joints | 18 | Mandibular osteomyelitis, Abnormality of the vertebral endplates, Recurrent long bone fractures |
Head and neck | 4 | Mandibular osteomyelitis, Facial paralysis, Facial palsy |
Brain and nerves | 4 | Cranial nerve paralysis, Fatigue, Hydrocephalus |
Eyes | 3 | Damage to the optic nerve (optic atrophy), Blindness, Visual impairment |
Blood and immune system | 3 | Low red blood cell count (anemia), Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), Abnormal leukocyte morphology |
Lab test results | 1 | Elevated serum acid phosphatase |
Arms and legs | 1 | Short distal phalanx of finger |
Muscles | 1 | Damage to the optic nerve (optic atrophy) |
Growth and development | 1 | Short stature |
Ears | 1 | Hearing loss (hearing impairment) |
To date, approximately 300 individuals have been identified with a pathogenic variant in CLCN7 . The three different associated phenotypes are described in this section.
ARO is a systemic, life-threatening disorder. Onset of symptoms is at birth. Without treatment, life span is approximately ten years (although rare exceptions of far longer survival have occurred). Note: Many of the most complete clinical descriptions of ARO were published prior to the discovery of the causative gene. Possible clinical manifestations of ARO include the following.
Skeletal findings
Source: GeneReviews — "CLCN7-Related Osteopetrosis"
CLCN7 encodes Cl-/H+ antiporter 7 (805 aa). Slowly voltage-gated channel mediating the exchange of chloride ions against protons. Highest expression in Thyroid (56.5 TPM) and Brain Cerebellum (55.6 TPM).
Autosomal dominant osteopetrosis 2 is caused by mutations in the CLCN7 gene on chromosome 16.
The CLCN7 protein participates in CLCN7:OSTM1 exchanges Cl- for H+ pathway.
CLCN7 is classified as a druggable target (Druggable Genome, Ion Channel, and Transporter categories) with score 0.0.
No clinically relevant genotype-phenotype correlations have been identified.
Source: GeneReviews — "CLCN7-Related Osteopetrosis"
Penetrance ranges from 60% to 90% in families with ADOII .
Source: GeneReviews — "CLCN7-Related Osteopetrosis"
The spectrum of CLCN7-related osteopetrosis includes the following: • Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (ARO; infantile malignant CLCN7-related autosomal recessive osteopetrosis) • Intermediate autosomal osteopetrosis (IAO) • Autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type II (ADOII; Albers-Schnberg disease) Suggestive Findings A CLCN7-related osteopetrosis should be suspected in individuals with osteosclerosis noted on radiographs, which may be accompanied by hypocalcemia and resulting convulsions, anemia, thrombocytopenia, visual impairment, and/or central nervous system involvement. Table 1. Diagnostic Features of the Subtypes of CLCN7-Related Osteopetrosis Finding | Subtype of CLCN7-Related Osteopetrosis
ARO | IAO | ADOII |
|---|---|---|
Radiographic changes | Pathognomonic1 | Characteristic2 |
Hypocalcemia | Severe to absent | Absent |
Anemia | Severe to moderate | Mild to absent |
Thrombocytopenia | Severe to absent | Absent |
Visual impairment | Frequent | Rare |
CNS involvement | Severe to absent4 | Absent |
Source: GeneReviews — "CLCN7-Related Osteopetrosis"
Pathogenic variants in CLCN7 account for 13% of the infantile autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (ARO), 40% of the recessive intermediate autosomal osteopetrosis (IAO), 60% of the dominant IAO, and 99% of the autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type II (ADOII) [Authors, personal observation]. ARO Table 3. Other Types of Autosomal Recessive Osteopetrosis
Gene | Disorder | Clinical Characteristics | Features Distinguishing this Disorder from CLCN7-Related ARO |
|---|---|---|---|
CA2 | ARO w/renal tubular acidosis (RTA) (OMIM 259730) | Generalized osteosclerosis. Cerebral calcifications are typical may be assoc w/ID.1 | Onset of ARO w/RTA is usually later than in infantile malignant form of ARO disease course is milder. |
Genetic testing for CLCN7 is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for autosomal dominant osteopetrosis 2 has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for autosomal dominant osteopetrosis 2. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
General guidelines for diagnosis, therapy, and follow up are available for all forms of osteopetrosis; see . Due to the difference in severity, the evaluation, treatment, and surveillance recommendations for infantile malignant CLCN7-related autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (ARO) and CLCN7-related autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type II (ADOII) differ. The CLCN7-related intermediate autosomal osteopetrosis (IAO) phenotype lies between these two forms and has variable manifestations and prognosis. Therefore, management options for CLCN7-related IAO must be evaluated on an individual basis.
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with ARO, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.
Table 5.
Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis in Individuals with Infantile Malignant CLCN7-Related Autosomal Recessive Osteopetrosis (ARO)
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| Baseline radiographic skeletal survey |
| Otorhinolaryngologic exam to evaluate for choanal stenosis assoc w/sclerosis of skull base |
Hypocalcemia
secondary hyper-
parathyroidism | Calcium concentrations in blood urine |
Anemia
thrombocytopenia | CBC w/reticulocyte count |
Abdominal ultrasound | Evaluate for hepatosplenomegaly assoc w/extrameduallry hematopoeisis.
Neurologic
Source: GeneReviews — "CLCN7-Related Osteopetrosis"
ADOII
Activities with high fracture risk should be avoided.
Orthopedic surgery should only be performed when absolutely necessary and the surgeon should be aware of potential complications and difficulties in handling osteopetrotic bone.
Source: GeneReviews — "CLCN7-Related Osteopetrosis"
Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Source: GeneReviews — "CLCN7-Related Osteopetrosis"
2 trials found
Table 9. Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with Infantile Malignant CLCN7-Related Autosomal Recessive Osteopetrosis (ARO)
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Bone marrow failure | CBC | Annually at a minimum Visual loss |
Dental issues | Dental eval | Every 6-12 mos or as directed |
Potential for graft failure after HSCT | Transplant center surveillance | As directed by specialists CBC = complete blood count; HSCT = hematopoietic stem cell transplantation Table 10. |
Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with CLCN7-Related Autosomal Dominant Osteopetrosis Type II (ADOII) System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
Anemia thrombocytopenia | CBC | At least annually Visual loss |
Dental issues | Dental eval | Every 6-12 mos or as directed |
Source: GeneReviews — "CLCN7-Related Osteopetrosis"
Phenotype severity distribution: 17 very common features, 7 common features.
Estimated prevalence: 1-9 in 100,000 (Uncommon).
2 clinical trials registered, 1 recruiting. Interventions under study include biologic therapy, drug therapy, and other interventions. Pipeline includes 1 PHASE1. Research is sponsored by a mix of industry and academic institutions.
27 publications have been identified in PubMed for autosomal dominant osteopetrosis 2. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (46%), Review / Meta-Analysis (19%), and Basic Science / Preclinical (8%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Patient case studies | 12 | 46% |
Research summaries | 5 | 19% |
Laboratory research | 2 | 8% |
Disease patterns and progression | 2 | 8% |
New treatment approaches | 2 | 8% |
Other research | 1 | 4% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 1 | 4% |
Clinical study results | 1 | 4% |
Bailey JR (2026). [PMID: 32491461](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32491461/). *Unknown Journal*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Donati S (2026). [PMID: 42096006](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42096006/). *Curr Osteoporos Rep*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Najdanović JG (2026). [PMID: 42131975](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42131975/). *Hum Gene Ther*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Bustos-Merlo A (2026). [PMID: 41505949](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41505949/). *Med Clin (Barc)*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Econs MJ (2026). [PMID: 40913471](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40913471/). *J Bone Miner Res*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Lopez-Aldazabal V (2025). [PMID: 40833355](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40833355/). *Vet Med Sci*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Ackah SA (2025). [PMID: 41277893](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41277893/). *Bone Rep*. [Diagnostic / Biomarker]
Xu J (2025). [PMID: 39934917](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39934917/). *Stem Cell Res Ther*. [Gene Therapy / Novel Therapeutics]
Bist O (2025). [PMID: 41079797](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41079797/). *Clin Case Rep*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Zhou R (2025). [PMID: 39930640](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39930640/). *J Clin Endocrinol Metab*. [Clinical Trial Publication]
Data assembled from 9 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 18, 2026, 7:15 AM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about autosomal dominant osteopetrosis 2
Age of onset of symptoms |
Birth |
First 2 years |
Inheritance | AR | AR or AD |
OSTM1 |
OSTM1-related ARO (OMIM 259720) |
~4% of ARO is caused by pathogenic variants in OSTM1. Extremely severe form of ARO w/CNS involvement2 that is indistinguishable from most severe forms of CLCN7-related ARO. |
OSTM1-related ARO is frequently assoc w/structural brain anomalies. |
PLEKHM1 | PLEKHM1-related ARO (OMIM 611497) | Very rare, can look like ADOII | PLEKHM1-related ARO appears to be very mild can regress w/ age.3 One person w/PLEKHM1-related ARO caused by a heterozygous pathogenic variant has been described.4 |
SNX10 | SNX10-related ARO (OMIM 615085) | ~4% of ARO is caused by pathogenic variants in SNX10; in particular, "Vsterbottenian osteopetrosis" is caused by SNX10 pathogenic variants. Loss of vision, anemia, bone fragility are frequently observed, warranting use of HSCT.5 | SNX10-related ARO appears to be slightly less severe than CLCN7-related ARO. TCIRG1 |
TCIRG1-related ARO | 50% of ARO is caused by pathogenic variants in TCIRG1. | Higher frequency of neurodevelopmental delay seizures in CLCN7-related ARO than in TCIRG1-related ARO.6 Noncoding TCIRG1 variants can cause milder phenotype that resembles ADOII. | — |
TNFRSF11A | Osteoclast-poor ARO (OMIM 612301) | Characterized by onset w/in 1st yr of life typical ARO manifestations. Investigation of bone biopsy is prerequisite for reliable diagnosis. | TNFSF11 pathogenic variants cause a slight T-cell defect TNFRSF11A pathogenic variants can lead to hypogammaglobulinemia similar to a common variable immune deficiency.7 It is crucial to rule out TNFSF11- TNFRSF11A-related ARO, as HSCT is not successful in these persons. |
Source: GeneReviews — "CLCN7-Related Osteopetrosis"