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CHILD syndrome (Congenital Hemidysplasia with Ichthyosiform nevus and Limb Defects, CS) is an X-linked dominant genodermatosis characterized by unilateral inflammatory and scaling skin lesions with ipsilateral visceral and limb anomalies.
Features include always present findings: Unilateral renal agenesis, 2-5 finger cutaneous syndactyly, Single transverse palmar crease, and Aplasia of the distal phalanx of the 3rd finger and others; and very common findings: Epiphyseal stippling. 61 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Arms and legs | 9 | 2-5 finger cutaneous syndactyly, Aplasia of the distal phalanx of the 3rd finger, 4-5 toe syndactyly |
Skin | 6 | Congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, Thickened, rough skin (hyperkeratosis), Small nail |
Bones and joints | 4 | Vertebral hypoplasia, Sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis), Aplasia/hypoplasia involving bones of the extremities |
Pregnancy and birth | 3 | Congenital hip dislocation, Congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, Congenital onychodystrophy |
Brain and nerves | 2 | Mild intellectual disability, Depressed nasal bridge |
Growth and development | 2 | Short stature, Mild intrauterine growth retardation |
Kidneys and urinary system | 2 | Unilateral renal agenesis, Renal agenesis |
Muscles | 2 | Flexion contracture, Multiple joint contractures |
Hormones | 2 | Adrenal hypoplasia, Thyroid hypoplasia |
Heart and blood vessels | 2 | Abnormal cardiac septum morphology, Abnormal heart morphology |
Ears | 1 | Hearing loss (hearing impairment) |
Head and neck | 1 | Cleft upper lip |
Lungs and breathing | 1 | Pulmonary hypoplasia |
Digestive system | 1 | Elevated 8(9)-cholestenol |
Nervous system (morphological) | 1 | Morphological central nervous system abnormality |
NSDHL-related disorders include CHILD (congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defects) syndrome, an X-linked disorder that is usually male lethal during gestation and thus predominantly affects females; and CK syndrome, an X-linked disorder that affects males.
CHILD syndrome is characterized by unilateral ichthyosiform skin lesions typically with sharp midline demarcation with ipsilateral limb defects, onychodystrophy, and periungual hyperkeratosis . Some individuals have scoliosis, joint contractures, central nervous system (CNS) anomalies, and congenital heart defects. CHILD syndrome predominantly affects females and is usually male lethal during gestation. To date, more than 60 individuals have been reported with CHILD syndrome.
Dermatologic findings
Source: GeneReviews — "NSDHL-Related Disorders"
NSDHL encodes NAD(P) dependent 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase NSDHL (373 aa). Catalyzes the NAD(P)(+)-dependent oxidative decarboxylation of the C4 methyl groups of 4-alpha-carboxysterols in post-squalene cholesterol biosynthesis. Highest expression in Esophagus Mucosa (65.4 TPM) and Cells Cultured fibroblasts (36.2 TPM).
CHILD syndrome is associated with mutations in the NSDHL gene on chromosome X.
The NSDHL protein participates in NSDHL decarboxylates 4a-carboxy-5a-cholest-8-ene-3b-ol to 5a-cholest-8-en-3-one, NSDHL decarboxylates 4a-carboxy-4b-methyl-5a-cholest-8-en-3b-ol to 4a-methyl-5a-cholest-8-en-3b-ol, and 4-carboxycholesta-8(9),24-dien-3beta-ol is decarboxylated and oxidized to form cholesta-8(9),24-dien-3-one (zymosterone) pathways.
NSDHL is classified as a druggable target (Druggable Genome and Enzyme categories) with score 0.0.
CK syndrome. The NSDHL pathogenic variants , , and have been consistently associated with CK syndrome. CHILD syndrome. Phenotypic variability within the spectrum of CHILD syndrome does not strictly correlate with the predicted severity of NSDHL pathogenic variants .
Source: GeneReviews — "NSDHL-Related Disorders"
Penetrance appears to be complete in NSDHL-related disorders.
Source: GeneReviews — "NSDHL-Related Disorders"
For the purposes of this GeneReview, the terms "male" and "female" are narrowly defined as the individual's biological sex at birth as it determines clinical care . No consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for NSDHL-related disorders have been published.
An NSDHL-related disorder should be suspected in an individual with features of CHILD (congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus [also known as ichthyosiform erythroderma] and limb defects) syndrome (typically in females) or CK syndrome (intellectual disability and associated features in males) as follows.
CHILD syndrome
Source: GeneReviews — "NSDHL-Related Disorders"
Table 2.
Genes of Interest in the Differential Diagnosis of CHILD Syndrome
Gene(s) | Disorder | MOI | Key Features of Disorder
Overlapping w/CHILD syndrome | Distinguishing from CHILD syndrome
EBP | Chondrodysplasia punctata 2, X-linked | XL | • ≥95% of affected persons are female.
Linear or blotchy scaly ichthyosiform plaques in newborns; later appearance of linear or whorled atrophic patches involving hair follicles (follicular atrophoderma) scarring
Asymmetric limb shortening, kyphoscoliosis, chondrodysplasia punctata (epiphyseal stippling)
| • Absence of strict midline demarcation lack of unilaterality seen in CHILD syndrome
Skin findings fade over time.
Most persons have follicular atrophoderma by age 2 yrs.
Ocular anomalies are prominent (develop early in life).
HRAS
KRAS
Source: GeneReviews — "NSDHL-Related Disorders"
Genetic testing for NSDHL is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for CHILD syndrome has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for CHILD syndrome. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
No clinical practice guidelines for NSDHL-related disorders have been published. In the absence of published guidelines, the following recommendations are based on the authors' personal experience managing individuals with CHILD syndrome and CK syndrome.
CHILD syndrome. To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with CHILD syndrome, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.
Table 4a.
CHILD Syndrome: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| Dermatologic eval |
| • Radiographs as needed of extremities spine
Clinical assessment for joint contractures scoliosis
Referral to orthopedist as needed
| Evaluate for skeletal malformations incl scoliosis.
| • Referral to neurologist
EEG
Brain MRI/CT
|
Developmental assessment | • To incl motor, adaptive, cognitive, speech-language eval
Eval for early intervention/ special education
| Echocardiogram | Evaluate for congenital heart disease.
| Chest imaging | Evaluate for lung hypoplasia.
| Abdominal pelvic ultrasound | Evaluate for renal or other genitourinary anomalies.
| By genetics professionals1 | To obtain a pedigree inform affected persons their families re nature, MOI, implications of CHILD syndrome to facilitate medical personal decision making
MOI = mode of inheritance
Source: GeneReviews — "NSDHL-Related Disorders"
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 — "NSDHL-Related Disorders"
2 trials found
To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized in and are recommended. Table 6a. CHILD Syndrome: Recommended Surveillance
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Integument | Examine for new cutaneous manifestations; new lesions may occur in puberty or early adulthood. | As needed Musculoskeletal |
CK Syndrome: Recommended Surveillance System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
Developmental | Monitor developmental progress educational needs. | Annually or as needed Neurobehavioral/ Psychiatric |
Ophthalmologic | Follow-up ophthalmology exam | As recommended by ophthalmologist |
Transition to adult care | Develop realistic plans for adult life (see American Epilepsy Society Transitions from Pediatric Epilepsy to Adult Epilepsy Care). | Starting by age ~10 yrs ADHD = attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder |
Source: GeneReviews — "NSDHL-Related Disorders"
Phenotype severity distribution: 14 always present features, 1 very common feature, 12 common features.
Estimated prevalence: <1 in 1,000,000 (VERY_RARE).
2 clinical trials registered, 1 recruiting. Interventions under study include other interventions. Pipeline includes 1 NA. Research is primarily sponsored by academic and government institutions.
28 publications have been identified in PubMed for CHILD syndrome. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (57%), Review / Meta-Analysis (14%), and Other (11%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Patient case studies | 16 | 57% |
Research summaries | 4 | 14% |
Other research | 3 | 11% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 2 | 7% |
Clinical study results | 1 | 4% |
Laboratory research | 1 | 4% |
Disease patterns and progression | 1 | 4% |
Wyer J (2026). [PMID: 42082353](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42082353/). *Clin Exp Dermatol*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Enrique Madrid S (2026). [PMID: 41507027](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41507027/). *Nefrologia (Engl Ed)*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Zeyrek M (2026). [PMID: 42083494](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42083494/). *Pediatr Dermatol*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Nicholson CL (2026). [PMID: 32644429](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32644429/). *Unknown Journal*. [Other]
Irie MN (2026). [PMID: 42186144](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42186144/). *J Paediatr Child Health*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Hoge MK (2026). [PMID: 40374965](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40374965/). *Pediatric research*. [Clinical Trial Publication]
Ramphul K (2026). [PMID: 29939590](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29939590/). *Unknown Journal*. [Other]
Yolal Karimov E (2025). [PMID: 41573490](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41573490/). *Cureus*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Kubińska K (2025). [PMID: 40567620](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40567620/). *Cureus*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Kuzminsky SC (2025). [PMID: 40339150](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40339150/). *Journal of forensic sciences*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Data assembled from 8 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 4:29 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about CHILD syndrome
AI-curated news mentioning CHILD syndrome
Updated May 5, 2026
A recent study demonstrates successful treatment of bilateral involvement in CHILD syndrome using a combination of cholesterol and lovastatin. This research highlights a potential therapeutic approach for managing this rare condition.
A systematic review evaluates both old and emerging therapies for childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD). This comprehensive analysis highlights the need for continued research and development in treatment options for this rare condition.