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Floating-Harbor syndrome is a genetic developmental disorder characterized by facial dysmorphism, short stature with delayed bone age, and expressive language delay.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Brain and nerves | 13 | Aggressive behavior, Intellectual disability, Delayed speech and language development |
Arms and legs | 6 | Ivory epiphyses of the distal phalanges of the hand, Short middle phalanx of the 2nd finger, Clinodactyly of the 5th finger |
Bones and joints | 5 | Kyphoscoliosis, Delayed skeletal maturation, Joint hypermobility |
Kidneys and urinary system | 4 | Nephrocalcinosis, Renal agenesis, Renal cyst |
Head and neck | 3 | Triangular face, Thin upper lip vermilion, Hypoplasia of the maxilla |
Growth and development | 2 | Short stature, Growth delay |
Ears | 2 | Recurrent otitis media, Conductive hearing impairment |
Digestive system | 2 | Constipation, Gastroesophageal reflux |
Eyes | 1 | Strabismus |
Pregnancy and birth | 1 | Congenital posterior urethral valve |
Skin | 1 | Atopic dermatitis |
Heart and blood vessels | 1 | Atrial septal defect |
Hormones | 1 | Precocious puberty |
SRCAP-related Floating-Harbor syndrome (SRCAP-FHS) is characterized by typical craniofacial features; growth deficiency (low birth weight, normal head circumference, and proportionate short stature); bone age delay that normalizes between ages six and 12 years; skeletal anomalies (brachydactyly, broad fingertips, clinodactyly, short thumbs, prominent joints, and clavicular abnormalities); severe receptive and expressive language impairment; hypernasality and high-pitched voice; and intellectual disability that is typically mild to moderate. Difficulties with temperament and behavior, present in many children, tend to improve in adulthood. To date, more than 100 individuals have been identified with SRCAP-FHS [, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ].
Source: GeneReviews — "SRCAP-Related Floating-Harbor Syndrome"
SRCAP function has not been fully characterized.
Floating-Harbor syndrome is caused by mutations in the SRCAP gene on chromosome 16.
Pathogenic variants in exons 33 and 34 of SRCAP that are predicted to cause truncation of the protein (removing three C-terminal AT-hook DNA-binding motifs while leaving the CBP-binding and ATPase domains intact) result in SRCAP-FHS.
Source: GeneReviews — "SRCAP-Related Floating-Harbor Syndrome"
No consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for SRCAP-related Floating-Harbor syndrome (SRCAP-FHS) have been published.
SRCAP-FHS should be suspected in individuals with the following clinical and radiographic features. Craniofacial appearance (See .)
Triangular face
Deep-set eyes
Short philtrum
Wide mouth with thin vermilion of the upper lip
Long nose with narrow bridge, broad base, broad tip, and low-hanging columella
Low-set ears
Other features
Source: GeneReviews — "SRCAP-Related Floating-Harbor Syndrome"
The distinctive facial features, bone age delay, and characteristic speech disability that make the diagnosis of SRCAP-related Floating-Harbor syndrome (SRCAP-FHS) straightforward in early childhood become less distinct with age. lists genes and associated conditions that should be considered in children in whom the diagnosis of SRCAP-FHS is suspected.
Table 3.
Other Genes of Interest in the Differential Diagnosis of SRCAP-Related Floating-Harbor Syndrome
Gene(s) | Disorder | MOI | Clinical Features of Disorder
Overlapping w/SRCAP-FHS | Distinguishing from SRCAP-FHS
CCDC8
CUL7
| Three M syndrome | AR | • Triangular face
Short 5th fingers
Bone age may be slightly delayed.
Males may have hypospadias.
Severe pre- postnatal growth restriction (final height 5-6 SD below mean; i.e., 120-130 cm)
Source: GeneReviews — "SRCAP-Related Floating-Harbor Syndrome"
Genetic testing for SRCAP is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
No approved treatments are currently available for Floating-Harbor syndrome. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
No clinical practice guidelines for SRCAP-related Floating-Harbor syndrome (SRCAP-FHS) have been published. In the absence of published guidelines, the following recommendations are based on the authors' personal experience managing individuals with this disorder.
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with SRCAP-FHS, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.
Table 4.
SRCAP-Related Floating-Harbor Syndrome: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| Measurement of growth plotting of growth parameters | Syndrome-specific charts are currently not available for children w/SRCAP-FHS.
| 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 temper tantrums, ADHD, impulsivity, aggression, OCD, anxiety
Eyes | Ophthalmologic exam to assess for vision deficits strabismus |
| Audiologic eval | See Genetic Hearing Loss Overview for details.
| • Assessment for clinical manifestations of seizures
EEG if seizures are suspected
|
| • Assessment of feeding
Assessment for manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux constipation
Assessment for celiac disease as indicated
|
Kidney/
Source: GeneReviews — "SRCAP-Related Floating-Harbor Syndrome"
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. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Source: GeneReviews — "SRCAP-Related Floating-Harbor Syndrome"
View trials for Floating-Harbor syndrome
To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized in are recommended. Table 6. SRCAP-Related Floating-Harbor Syndrome: Recommended Surveillance
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Constitutional | Eval of growth | Close monitoring w/each visit, esp in 1st yr of life; Bone age exam; Eval for signs of early puberty |
Development | Monitor developmental progress educational needs. | At each visit |
Neurobehavioral/Psychiatric | Behavioral assessment for temper tantrums, ADHD, impulsivity, aggression, OCD, anxiety | Annually or as needed |
Eyes | Ophthalmologic eval | Annually |
Hearing | Audiologic eval | Annually; more frequent eval in those w/recurrent otitis media |
Neurologic | Monitor those w/seizures as clinically indicated. | At each visit Gastrointestinal |
Musculoskeletal | Orthopedic assessment for kyphoscoliosis clinical manifestations of Perthes disease | As needed; potential need for closer monitoring for those on HGH |
Dental | Dental eval to assess for caries, microdontia, oligodontia, delayed loss of primary teeth, orthodontic problems (e.g., maxillary retrusion underbite) | Every 6 mos ADHD = attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; BUN = blood urea nitrogen; HGH = human growth hormone; OCD = obsessive-compulsive disorder |
Source: GeneReviews — "SRCAP-Related Floating-Harbor Syndrome"
Phenotype severity distribution: 10 always present features, 3 very common features, 14 common features.
Estimated prevalence: Unknown (Unknown prevalence).
No clinical trials have been registered for Floating-Harbor syndrome.
21 publications have been identified in PubMed for Floating-Harbor syndrome. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (48%), Basic Science / Preclinical (38%), and Other (5%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Patient case studies | 10 | 48% |
Laboratory research | 8 | 38% |
Other research | 1 | 5% |
Research summaries | 1 | 5% |
Disease patterns and progression | 1 | 5% |
Tang J (2026). [PMID: 42095020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42095020/). *Front Genet*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Kantor I (2026). [PMID: 41655494](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41655494/). *Stem cell research*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Kaan H (2026). [PMID: 41777507](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41777507/). *Noro psikiyatri arsivi*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Yang W (2026). [PMID: 41484376](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41484376/). *European journal of pediatrics*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Ayyappan A (2026). [PMID: 41907339](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41907339/). *Indian journal of anaesthesia*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Jeon J (2026). [PMID: 38230957](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38230957/). *Journal of clinical research in pediatric endocrinology*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Rhode J (2025). [PMID: 40375406](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40375406/). *Stem cell research*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Moro N (2025). [PMID: 41278978](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41278978/). *bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Makretskaya NA (2025). [PMID: 40734301](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40734301/). *Problemy endokrinologii*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Arai Y (2025). [PMID: 39902802](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39902802/). *Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Data assembled from 8 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 20, 2026, 11:11 AM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about Floating-Harbor syndrome