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Cartilage-hair hypoplasia is a disease affecting the bone metaphyses causing small stature from birth.
Features include very common findings: Limited elbow extension, Fair hair, Metaphyseal dysplasia, and Sparse eyebrow and others; and common findings: Malabsorption, Recurrent infections, Coxa vara, and Narrow chest and others. 100 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Bones and joints | 14 | Femoral bowing, Narrow vertebral interpedicular distance, Excessive inward curve of the lower back (lumbar hyperlordosis) |
Blood and immune system | 7 | Cellular immunodeficiency, Recurrent infections, Low red blood cell count (anemia) |
Digestive system | 5 | Malabsorption, Constipation, Esophageal atresia |
Growth and development | 4 | Absent pubertal growth spurt, Neonatal short-limb short stature, Failure to thrive |
Arms and legs | 4 | Neonatal short-limb short stature, Small hand, Disproportionate short-limb short stature |
Brain and nerves | 3 | Depressed nasal bridge, Depressed nasal ridge, Difficulty with thinking and memory (cognitive impairment) |
Heart and blood vessels | 3 | Heart block, Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), Abnormal cardiac septum morphology |
Eyes | 3 | Strabismus, Visual impairment, Abnormality of retinal pigmentation |
Pregnancy and birth | 2 | Congenital hypoplastic anemia, Neonatal short-limb short stature |
Muscles | 2 | Reduced tendon reflexes, Low muscle tone (hypotonia) |
Head and neck | 1 | Sparse facial hair |
Hormones | 1 | Absent pubertal growth spurt |
Lungs and breathing | 1 | Difficulty breathing (respiratory insufficiency) |
Cartilage-hair hypoplasia – anauxetic dysplasia (CHH-AD) spectrum disorders are a continuum that includes three phenotypes:
Metaphyseal dysplasia without hypotrichosis (MDWH)
Cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH), with metaphyseal dysplasia and hypotrichosis
At the severe end, the rare anauxetic dysplasia (AD), the most pronounced skeletal phenotype
Source: GeneReviews — "Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia – Anauxetic Dysplasia Spectrum Disorders"
RMRP function has not been fully characterized.
Cartilage-hair hypoplasia is caused by mutations in the RMRP gene on chromosome 9.
The CHH-AD spectrum includes a range of phenotypes. RMRP is not translated into a protein; thus, genotype-phenotype correlation depends on the position of the pathogenic variant in the transcript and the proposed effect on transcript folding and RNA-protein interaction . The milder phenotypes are usually caused by either of the following:
Compound heterozygous or homozygous pathogenic variants within the transcript resulting in little to intermediate effect on the function of RNase MRP
Compound heterozygosity for one pathogenic variant within the transcript and one pathogenic variant in the promoter region
AD is caused by either of the following:
Source: GeneReviews — "Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia – Anauxetic Dysplasia Spectrum Disorders"
There are no formal diagnostic criteria for cartilage-hair hypoplasia – anauxetic dysplasia (CHH-AD) spectrum disorders, as individuals present with highly variable phenotypes. The CHH-AD spectrum disorders are a continuum ranging from short stature without hypotrichosis with only radiographic evidence of metaphyseal dysplasia (MDWH) , to short stature with hypotrichosis and variable metaphyseal dysplasia of the tubular bones (cartilage-hair hypoplasia [CHH]) , to severe deforming short stature with metaphyseal, epiphyseal, and vertebral dysplasia (anauxetic dysplasia [AD]) . Newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) using detection of T cell receptor excision circles is able to identify some individuals with CHH prior to recognition of other findings .
Source: GeneReviews — "Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia – Anauxetic Dysplasia Spectrum Disorders"
Table 2. Genes of Interest in the Differential Diagnosis of Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia – Anauxetic Dysplasia Spectrum Disorders
Gene(s) | Disorder | MOI | Features of Disorder |
|---|---|---|---|
ACP5 | ACP5-related spondyloenchondrodysplasia w/immune dysregulation (OMIM 607944) | AR | Skeletal dysplasia; Immunodeficiency |
DD, spasticity, intracranial calcifications Multiple genes incl:ADAADA2IL2RG | Combined immunodeficiency syndromes (See Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency, Adenosine Deaminase 2 Deficiency, XL Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, OMIM PS300755.) |
Genetic testing for RMRP is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
No approved treatments are currently available for cartilage-hair hypoplasia. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
No clinical practice guidelines for cartilage-hair hypoplasia – anauxetic dysplasia (CHH-AD) spectrum disorders have been published. Guidelines for the management of immunodeficiency in CHH have been published .
To establish the extent of disease and needs of an individual diagnosed with a CHH-AD spectrum disorder, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.
Table 3.
Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia – Anauxetic Dysplasia Spectrum Disorders: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| Full skeletal survey | To incl (in AD) views of cervical spine to identify cervical vertebral abnormalities assess risk of atlantoaxial subluxation
Orthopedic consult | Eval for complications of joint laxity, lumbar lordosis, chest deformity, scoliosis, varus deformity of lower extremities
| Assess for immunodeficiency:1
Serum concentration of IgG, IgA, IgM, IgG subclasses
CD3, 4, 8, 19, 16/56
Post-vaccine titers
Other immunologic parameters: allogeneic lymphocyte cytotoxicity; T cell subsets, TREC analysis; T cell repertoire; proliferation response to PHA; proliferation response to anti-CD3
| Immunology consultation in those w/abnormal immunologic testing or recurrent infections for assessment treatment to determine vaccination program approach to varicella prophylaxis
| Pulmonary consult | Eval for evidence of re...
Source: GeneReviews — "Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia – Anauxetic Dysplasia Spectrum Disorders"
Immunization with live vaccines should be carefully considered in those with CHH and evidence of abnormal immunologic function and should be avoided in those with CHH and severe combined immunodeficiency . Note: (1) Routine immunizations with inactivated vaccines are safe in persons with CHH. (2) No serious adverse events have been recorded after immunization with live viral vaccines in individuals of Finnish ancestry with CHH. (3) Individuals with CHH generate humoral and cellular immune response to live viral vaccines. Immunization with live vaccines may be considered in selected individuals with CHH without immunodeficiency or with clinically mild immunodeficiency .
Source: GeneReviews — "Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia – Anauxetic Dysplasia Spectrum Disorders"
Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions.
Source: GeneReviews — "Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia – Anauxetic Dysplasia Spectrum Disorders"
View trials for cartilage-hair hypoplasia
To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized in are recommended. Table 5. Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia – Anauxetic Dysplasia Spectrum Disorders: Recommended Surveillance
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Musculoskeletal | Measurement of linear growth body proportions comparison w/CHH-specific growth curves1 | Annually throughout childhood X-ray eval orthopedic consultation |
Immunology | Assess for recurrent infections, esp manifestations of life-threatening varicella infection. | At each visit, particularly in the first 2 yrs of life, then annually after age 2 yrs Physical exam Laboratory assessment for suspected infection |
Respiratory | Assess frequency of respiratory tract infections. | At each visit High-resolution CT |
Source: GeneReviews — "Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia – Anauxetic Dysplasia Spectrum Disorders"
Phenotype severity distribution: 41 very common features, 12 common features.
Estimated prevalence: Unknown (Unknown prevalence).
No clinical trials have been registered for cartilage-hair hypoplasia.
17 publications have been identified in PubMed for cartilage-hair hypoplasia. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (53%), Review / Meta-Analysis (24%), and Other (12%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Patient case studies | 9 | 53% |
Research summaries | 4 | 24% |
Other research | 2 | 12% |
Disease patterns and progression | 1 | 6% |
New treatment approaches | 1 | 6% |
Hills LB (2026). [PMID: 41935966](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41935966/). *Pediatr Blood Cancer*. [Other]
Loid P (2026). [PMID: 42058700](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42058700/). *JCEM Case Rep*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Kasanen E (2026). [PMID: 42063088](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42063088/). *Orphanet J Rare Dis*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Portela Carvalho C (2026). [PMID: 41720498](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41720498/). *BMJ Case Rep*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Kian MM (2026). [PMID: 41982866](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41982866/). *Clin Case Rep*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Lin S (2026). [PMID: 41517791](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41517791/). *Medicine (Baltimore)*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Portela Carvalho C (2026). [PMID: 41525162](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41525162/). *Acta Med Port*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Bukhari SI (2026). [PMID: 41460196](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41460196/). *J Pediatr Hematol Oncol*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Insalaco A (2026). [PMID: 41616907](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41616907/). *Eur J Med Genet*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Vakkilainen S (2025). [PMID: 42170584](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42170584/). *J Hum Immun*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Data assembled from 8 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 20, 2026, 5:32 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
ARXL |
Immunodeficiency |
COL10A1 | COL10A1-related metaphyseal dysplasia Schmid (See Schmid Metaphyseal Chondrodysplasia.) | AD | Short stature radiographic metaphyseal abnormalities (metaphyseal dysplasia esp in proximal femur) resembling CHH |
RAG2 | Omenn syndrome (OMIM 603554) | AR | Short stature; Hematologic changes; Immunologic changes |
SRP54 | Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) | ARAD | Short stature radiographic metaphyseal abnormalities resembling CHH; infections; Anemia |
Principal manifestations: exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, neutropenia, poor weight gain, growth deficiency Multiple genes incl:ELANEG6PC3GFI1HAX1WAS | Isolated syndromic1 congenital neutropenia (See ELANE-Related Neutropenia, G6PC3 Deficiency; WAS-Related Disorders, OMIM PS202700.) | ADARXL | Congenital neutropenia |
EXTL3 | EXTL3-related spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia w/immune deficiency intellectual disability (immunoskeletal dysplasia w/neurodevelopmental abnormalities) (OMIM 617425) | AR | Skeletal dysplasia; Immunodeficiency |
NEPRO | NEPRO-related metaphyseal dysplasia w/short stature (CHH-like) (anauxetic dysplasia 3) (OMIM 618853) | AR | Short stature metaphyseal dysplasia; Sparse scalp hair |
PGM3 | PGM3-related spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia w/immune deficiency (immunodeficiency 23 [IMD23]) (OMIM 615816) | AR | Skeletal dysplasia; Immunodeficiency |
POP1 | POP1-related metaphyseal dysplasia w/short stature (CHH-like) (anauxetic dysplasia 2) (OMIM 617396) | AR | Short stature metaphyseal dysplasia; peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation ability2 |
PTH1R-related metaphyseal dysplasia, Jansen type | AD | Short statur... | — |
Source: GeneReviews — "Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia – Anauxetic Dysplasia Spectrum Disorders"