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Features include always present findings: Intellectual disability and Global developmental delay; and common findings: Epicanthus, Strabismus, Low muscle tone (hypotonia), and Downslanted palpebral fissures and others. 87 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Brain and nerves | 8 | Seizure, Intellectual disability, Global developmental delay |
BICRA encodes BRD4 interacting chromatin remodeling complex associated protein (1,560 aa). Component of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling subcomplex GBAF that carries out key enzymatic activities, changing chromatin structure by altering DNA-histone contacts within a nucleosome in an ATP-dependent manner. Highest expression in Brain Cerebellum (23.0 TPM) and Uterus (21.6 TPM).
Coffin-Siris syndrome 12 is associated with mutations in the BICRA gene on chromosome 19.
BICRA is classified as a druggable target with score 0.0.
No consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for Coffin-Siris syndrome (CCS) have been published.
CSS should be suspected in individuals with the following clinical findings and family history:
Clinical findings
Source: GeneReviews — "Coffin-Siris Syndrome"
No approved treatments are currently available for Coffin-Siris syndrome 12. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
Several publications have recommended various medical surveillance guidelines for individuals with Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) . However, as clinical variability between individuals is high, clinicians are encouraged to use their own clinical judgment when evaluating and managing these individuals.
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with CSS, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to diagnosis) are recommended.
To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized in are recommended. Table 7. Coffin-Siris Syndrome: Recommended Surveillance
No clinical trials have been registered for Coffin-Siris syndrome 12.
4 publications have been identified in PubMed for Coffin-Siris syndrome 12. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (75%) and Review / Meta-Analysis (25%).
Wang H (2026). [PMID: 41595501](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41595501/). *Genes*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Azieva A (2026). [PMID: 41692879](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41692879/). *Cellular and molecular neurobiology*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Kentros C (2025). [PMID: 41132546](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41132546/). *Case reports in genetics*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Huang X (2024). [PMID: 38790056](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38790056/). *BMC medical genomics*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Data assembled from 6 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 2:57 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about Coffin-Siris syndrome 12
Head and neck |
5 |
Submucous cleft hard palate, Microcephaly, Facial palsy |
Digestive system | 4 | Gastroesophageal reflux, Feeding difficulties, Chronic constipation |
Muscles | 3 | Low muscle tone (hypotonia), Oral motor hypotonia, Hippocampal atrophy |
Growth and development | 2 | Short stature, Failure to thrive |
Bones and joints | 2 | Joint hypermobility, Sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis) |
Eyes | 1 | Strabismus |
Kidneys and urinary system | 1 | Horseshoe kidney |
Heart and blood vessels | 1 | Heart murmur |
Ears | 1 | Inner ear hearing loss (sensorineural hearing impairment) |
Skin | 1 | Small nail |
Lab test results | 1 | Elevated circulating hepatic transaminase concentration |
Hormones | 1 | Hypothyroidism |
Arms and legs | 1 | Slender finger |
The clinical manifestations of Coffin-Siris syndrome have expanded over the years as greater phenotypic variability has been recognized. Classically, the syndrome was first identified by the absence or underdevelopment of the fifth digit finger/toe or nail. Additional "classic" features have included sparse scalp hair, hypertrichosis, learning and developmental differences, and various organ system-related anomalies. As genetic technology has evolved, more individuals with subtle physical exam findings are being diagnosed with CSS. To date, at least 550 individuals have been identified with a diagnosis of Coffin-Siris syndrome, including those enrolled in the Coffin-Siris syndrome/ BAF complex registry [; ; ; ; ; ; S Schrier Vergano, unpublished data]. ARID1B has been reported in around 1% of cohorts of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorder . The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on these reports. Table 2. Select Features of Coffin-Siris Syndrome
Feature | % of Persons w/Feature | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Developmental delay/ intellectual disability | 98% | Typically in the moderate-to-severe range |
Feeding problems | 90% | — |
Hypotonia | 75% | — |
Hypoplasia of the fifth digits/nails1 | 65%-80% | Some individuals with a molecularly confirmed diagnosis of CSS have little or no fifth digit involvement. |
Dysmorphic facial features | 65% | ~30% at birth. Because facial features typically coarsen over time, the characteristic facies may not be apparent until later in childhood. |
Frequent infections | 60% | — |
Other skeletal findings | 40%-60% | Including joint laxity and scoliosis |
Epilepsy | 50% | — |
Hearing impairment | 45% | Both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss has been reported. |
Eye issues | ~40% | Ptosis, strabismus, myopia |
Congenital heart defects | 35% | — |
Genitourinary malformations | 33% | — |
Behavioral issues | 25% | May include hyperactivity /or aggressiveness Typically, individuals with a clinical diagnosis of CSS have either aplasia or hypoplasia of the distal phalanx or absence of the nail, classically involving the fifth finger, but other digits may also be affected. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Coffin-Siris Syndrome"
Genes of interest in the differential diagnosis of Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) are listed in . Table 4. Genes of Interest in the Differential Diagnosis of Coffin-Siris Syndrome
Gene(s) | Disorder | MOI | Clinical Characteristics | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SMC3 | Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) | ADXL1 | Severe (classic) CdLS is characterized by distinctive facial features, growth restriction, hypertrichosis, upper limb reduction defects that range from subtle phalangeal abnormalities to oligodactyly (missing digits). | CdLS-related limb anomalies may incl 5th finger hypoplasia similar to CSS. |
PHF6 | Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome (OMIM 301900) | XL | See . | See . |
PIGV | Mabry syndrome (OMIM 239300) | AR | DD, seizures, coarse facial features, hypoplastic 5th digits, serum concentrations of ALP | — |
SMARCA2 | Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome (NCBRS) | AD | See . | See . |
TBC1D24 | DOORS syndrome (See TBC1D24-Related Disorders.) | AR | Deafness, onychodystrophy, osteodystrophy, ID, seizures | Features in common w/CSS incl hypoplastic terminal phalanges /or nail anomalies, deafness, neurologic abnormalities. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Coffin-Siris Syndrome"
Genetic testing for BICRA is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Table 5:
Coffin-Siris Syndrome: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| Measurement of growth parameters | To assess for growth restriction or poor growth in younger persons obesity in adults
| Neurologic eval to incl assessment for signs symptoms of seizures/tics | • To incl brain MRI if clinically indicated
Consider EEG if seizures are a concern.
| Developmental assessment | • To incl motor, adaptive, cognitive, speech-language eval
Eval for early intervention/ special education
Neurobehavioral/
| Neuropsychiatric eval | For persons age 12 mos: screening for concerns incl ADHD, aggression, /or findings suggestive of ASD
| Assessment for signs symptoms of sleep disturbance | Consider referral to sleep medicine clinic /or sleep study.
| Orthopedics/ physical medicine rehab/ PT OT eval | To incl assessment of:
Source: GeneReviews — "Coffin-Siris Syndrome"
View trials for Coffin-Siris syndrome 12
Evaluation |
|---|
Frequency |
|---|
Eyes | Ophthalmology eval vision assessment | Annually or as clinically indicated Hearing |
Dental | Dental eval | At least every 6 mos in those w/teeth |
Oncology | Consider serum AFP level liver ultrasound in those who have a pathogenic variant in ARID1A1 | Every 3 mos until age 4 yrs ADHD = attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; AFP = alpha-fetoprotein; ASD = autism spectrum disorder; OT = occupational therapy; PT = physical therapy 1. Because of the rarity of tumors in CSS, the utility of tumor surveillance is unclear. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Coffin-Siris Syndrome"
Phenotype severity distribution: 2 always present features, 19 common features.