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Hypothalamic hamartomas (HH) are rare, tumor-like malformations that occur during fetal development and are present at birth. The lesions usually do not change in size or spread to other locations. Both the type and severity of symptoms vary greatly among patients with hypothalamic hamartomas. Common symptoms include frequent gelastic seizures (spontaneous laughing, giggling and/or smirking) or dacrystic seizures (crying or grunting); developmental delays; and/or precocious puberty. Additional symptoms may include cognitive impairment; emotional and behavioral difficulties; and endocrine disturbances. These symptoms often start early in life but are frequently misdiagnosed. For some patients, endocrine (hormonal) disturbances such as central precocious puberty may be the only symptom. These patients can often be treated successfully with medications. For some, however, HH can be disabling. For those with HH and epilepsy, it is common for the disorder to progress and for different types of seizures to develop. The seizures associated with HH often cannot be well-controlled with the standard seizure medications. For some, additional treatment such as surgical removal, radiosurgery, or thermoablation may be indicated. Though hypothalamic hamartomas can occur in patients with certain genetic disorders (such as Pallister-Hall syndrome), the majority of cases are sporadic.
Features include always present findings: Hypothalamic hamartoma and Postaxial foot polydactyly; and common findings: Toe syndactyly, Short stature, Focal emotional seizure with crying, and Microcephaly and others. 29 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Head and neck | 4 | Median cleft upper lip, Macrocephaly, Cleft palate |
Brain and nerves | 4 | Focal emotional seizure with crying, Hydrocephalus, Delayed speech and language development |
Arms and legs | 3 | Toe syndactyly, Postaxial hand polydactyly, Postaxial foot polydactyly |
Lungs and breathing | 1 | Pulmonary hypoplasia |
Growth and development | 1 | Short stature |
Kidneys and urinary system | 1 | Renal dysplasia |
Bones and joints | 1 | Skeletal dysplasia |
SMO function has not been fully characterized.
Congenital hypothalamic hamartoma syndrome has been associated with mutations in the SMO gene on chromosome 7.
Genetic testing for SMO is available. Testing is considered supportive for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for congenital hypothalamic hamartoma syndrome has been reported in the published literature.
Phenotype severity distribution: 2 always present features, 8 common features.
No clinical trials have been registered for congenital hypothalamic hamartoma syndrome.
75 publications have been identified in PubMed for congenital hypothalamic hamartoma syndrome. Kisho has analyzed 58 by research type. Research spans Review / Meta-Analysis (31%), Clinical Trial Publication (24%), and Case Report / Case Series (22%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Research summaries | 18 | 31% |
Clinical study results | 14 | 24% |
Patient case studies | 13 | 22% |
Disease patterns and progression | 5 | 9% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 4 | 7% |
Laboratory research | 3 | 5% |
Other research | 1 | 2% |
Reinacher PC (2026). [PMID: 41030180](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41030180/). *Epilepsia*. [Clinical Trial Publication]
Hall WA (2026). [PMID: 32809498](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32809498/). *Unknown Journal*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Gogou M (2026). [PMID: 41747505](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41747505/). *Seizure*. [Clinical Trial Publication]
Robilliard R (2026). [PMID: 41383814](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41383814/). *JCEM Case Rep*. [Case Report / Case Series]
De Benedictis A (2026). [PMID: 41962169](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41962169/). *J Neurosurg Pediatr*. [Clinical Trial Publication]
Al-Juboori AA (2026). [PMID: 41276078](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41276078/). *World Neurosurg*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Ricciardi GK (2025). [PMID: 39730953](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39730953/). *Neurol Sci*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Cossu G (2025). [PMID: 41005656](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41005656/). *World Neurosurg*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Woods SB (2025). [PMID: 40972023](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40972023/). *J Neurosurg Pediatr*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Turhan B (2025). [PMID: 39710518](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39710518/). *J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Data assembled from 7 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 1:11 PM UTC
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