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Any Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the BRAF gene.
Features include always present findings: Narrow forehead, Short stature, Seizure, and Numerous nevi and others; and common findings: Tetralogy of Fallot. 32 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Brain and nerves | 3 | Seizure, Intellectual disability, Depressed nasal bridge |
BRAF encodes B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (766 aa). Protein kinase involved in the transduction of mitogenic signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus (Probable). Highest expression in Brain Cerebellar Hemisphere (27.6 TPM) and Brain Cerebellum (21.5 TPM).
LEOPARD syndrome 3 is associated with mutations in the BRAF gene on chromosome 7.
The BRAF protein participates in BRAF inhibitors:high kinase activity BRAF mutants pathway.
BRAF is classified as a druggable target (Clinically Actionable, Drug Resistance, Druggable Genome, Enzyme, Kinase, and Serine Threonine Kinase categories) with score 2.5.
Suggested clinical diagnostic criteria for Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (NSML) have been published .
NSML should be suspected in individuals with one or more of the following cardinal features:
Lentigines
Cardiac abnormalities, particularly hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
No approved treatments are currently available for LEOPARD syndrome 3. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
No clinical practice guidelines for Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (NSML) have been published. Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with NSML, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended. Table 5. Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis in Individuals with Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines
Table 7. Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines
System/Concern |
|---|
No clinical trials have been registered for LEOPARD syndrome 3.
15 publications have been identified in PubMed for LEOPARD syndrome 3. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (53%), Basic Science / Preclinical (20%), and Review / Meta-Analysis (13%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Patient case studies | 8 | 53% |
Data assembled from 6 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 1:53 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about LEOPARD syndrome 3
Growth and development
2 |
Short stature, Growth delay |
Skin | 2 | Dry skin, Thickened, rough skin (hyperkeratosis) |
Heart and blood vessels | 2 | Abnormal aortic valve (abnormal aortic valve morphology), Abnormal mitral valve morphology |
Head and neck | 1 | Macrocephaly |
Bones and joints | 1 | Delayed skeletal maturation |
Ears | 1 | Inner ear hearing loss (sensorineural hearing impairment) |
Muscles | 1 | Neonatal hypotonia |
Pregnancy and birth | 1 | Neonatal hypotonia |
Age of onset: adolescence.
To date, more than 150 individuals with Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (NSML) have been reported. Table 2. Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines: Frequency of Select Features
Feature | Frequency | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Nearly all | Common | Infrequent |
Often develop after age 4-5 yrs Dysmorphic facial features | Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy | Up to 70%; may be progressive Caf au lait macules |
Source: GeneReviews — "Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines"
No clinically relevant genotype-phenotype correlations for BRAF, MAP2K1, or RAF1 have been identified in individuals with NSML. PTPN11. In contrast to what is observed in Noonan syndrome, the NSML-associated pathogenic variants are strongly associated with a predisposition to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy . This specific correlation results from a differential impact of NS- and NSML-causing PTPN11 variants on intracellular signalling. In particular, different consequences have been documented on both the MAPK and PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathways .
Source: GeneReviews — "Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines"
Pectus deformity
Dysmorphic facial features including widely spaced eyes and ptosis
Additional features occurring frequently in NSML:
Variable degree of cognitive deficits
Sensorineural hearing loss
Cryptorchidism
Skeletal anomalies
Caf au lait macules
Family history consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance (e.g., affected males and females in multiple generations)
Note: Absence of a known family history does not preclude the diagnosis.
Source: GeneReviews — "Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines"
Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (NSML) should be distinguished from Turner syndrome, Williams syndrome, and monogenic disorders with developmental delay, short stature, congenital heart defects, and distinctive facies . Turner syndrome, found only in females, is distinguished from NSML by demonstration of an X-chromosome abnormality on cytogenetic studies. The characteristic facial features are also distinct, and in Turner syndrome renal anomalies are more common, developmental delay is much less frequently found, and left-sided heart defects are the rule. Williams syndrome and NSML are relatively distinct, as they are associated with different facial features, cardiovascular involvement, skin features, and neurodevelopmental profiles.
Source: GeneReviews — "Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines"
Genetic testing for BRAF is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Constitutional | Measurement of growth parameters | Consider plotting of growth parameters on population-specific growth charts Noonan syndrome growth charts.1 |
Cardiovascular | Echocardiogram | To assess for congenital heart defects evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Electrocardiogram |
Hearing | Audiology eval2 | To assess for presence type/degree of hearing loss |
Eyes | Ophthalmology eval | To assess for presence of colobomata, stereopsis, abnormal eye movements3 |
Neurologic | Neurology eval | To incl brain MRI for those w/seizure disorders (possibly) neurodevelopmental delays |
Genitourinary | Physical exam for cryptorchidism in males | Consider referral to urologist. Renal ultrasound |
Development | Developmental assessment | To incl motor, adaptive, cognitive, speech-language eval; Eval for early intervention / special education |
Musculoskeletal | Clinical assessment of spine rib cage | Consider radiographs referral to orthopedist if significant scoliosis or rib cage abnormalities are identified. Genetic |
counseling | By genetics professionals4 | To obtain a pedigree inform affected persons their families re nature, MOI, implications of NSML to facilitate medical personal decision making Family support resources |
Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines Manifestation/Concern | Treatment | Considerations/Other |
Short stature | Growth hormone therapy may be considered, although no data on use of growth hormone therapy in persons w/NSML exist. | Growth hormone therapy may be contraindicated in persons w/HCM.; Prior to instituting growth hormone therapy, cardiac eval for HCM is recommended; continued surveillance for development of HCM while on growth hormone therapy is reasonable. |
HCM | Standard treatment per cardiologist cardiovascular surgeon | Structural heart defects |
Hearing | Hearing aids may be helpful; per otolaryngologist. | Community hearing services through early intervention or school district Consider cochlear implantation for persons w/profound deafness. |
abnormal eye mvmts | Standard treatment per ophthalmologist | — |
Seizures | Standard treatment per neurologist | Cryptorchidism/ |
Genitourinary anomalies | Standard treatment per urologist | Developmental delay/ |
Intellectual disability | See . | Family/Community |
Source: GeneReviews — "Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines"
For individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:
Treatment with growth hormone must be undertaken with great caution – if at all – to avoid exacerbating a cardiac condition;
Certain physical activities may be curtailed in order to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death.
Source: GeneReviews — "Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines"
Search Clinical Trials.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 — "Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines"
View trials for LEOPARD syndrome 3
Evaluation
Frequency |
|---|
Growth | Measurement of growth parameters | At each visit Cardiovascular |
Hearing | Audiology eval | At least annually in infancy childhood or as clinically indicated |
Eyes | Ophthalmology eval | If nystagmus is noted or as clinically indicated |
Neurologic | Assess for new manifestations such as seizure. | At each visit Development |
Source: GeneReviews — "Noonan Syndrome with Multiple Lentigines"
Phenotype severity distribution: 29 always present features, 1 common feature.
3 |
20% |
Research summaries | 2 | 13% |
Disease patterns and progression | 2 | 13% |
Goh SZ (2026). [PMID: 41948257](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41948257/). *Cureus*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Genç A (2026). [PMID: 42261585](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42261585/). *Clin Genet*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Corso BM (2026). [PMID: 41675685](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41675685/). *Mol Syndromol*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Chen Z (2026). [PMID: 41786942](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41786942/). *Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Ates K (2025). [PMID: 41496802](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41496802/). *Mol Syndromol*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Zhou Y (2025). [PMID: 39145467](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39145467/). *ESC Heart Fail*. [Case Report / Case Series]
van der Woude S (2025). [PMID: 39392019](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39392019/). *J Cutan Pathol*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Perla S (2025). [PMID: 40854126](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40854126/). *Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
McGhee CA (2025). [PMID: 41074228](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41074228/). *Mol Autism*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Zara Rozalen A (2024). [PMID: 39441158](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39441158/). *Tunis Med*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]