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Features include always present findings: Short stature, Bicuspid aortic valve, Midface retrusion, and Arterial tortuosity and others; and common findings: Chronic fatigue, Varicose veins, Pes planus, and Tall stature and others. 49 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Bones and joints | 9 | Osteochondritis dissecans, Joint hypermobility, Arthralgia |
Heart and blood vessels | 6 | Bicuspid aortic valve, Thoracic aortic aneurysm, Abdominal aortic aneurysm |
Brain and nerves | 4 | Chronic fatigue, Migraine, Transient ischemic attack |
Growth and development | 3 | Short stature, Tall stature, Disproportionate tall stature |
Head and neck | 2 | High palate, Long face |
Lungs and breathing | 1 | Spontaneous pneumothorax |
Blood and immune system | 1 | Autoimmunity |
Digestive system | 1 | Abdominal aortic aneurysm |
Skin | 1 | Soft skin |
Pregnancy and birth | 1 | Congenital diaphragmatic hernia |
Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) represents a wide phenotypic spectrum in which affected individuals may have various combinations of clinical features ranging from a severe syndromic presentation with significant extravascular systemic findings in young children to predominantly thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection occurring in adults. Clinical variability is also observed among individuals in the same family who have the same pathogenic variant. The most common findings involve the vascular, skeletal, craniofacial, cutaneous, allergic/inflammatory, and ocular systems .
The major sources of morbidity and early mortality in LDS are dilatation of the aorta at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva, a predisposition for aortic dissection and rupture, mitral valve prolapse (MVP) with or w...
Source: GeneReviews — "Loeys-Dietz Syndrome"
SMAD2 function has not been fully characterized.
Loeys-Dietz syndrome 6 is caused by mutations in the SMAD2 gene on chromosome 18.
Rare examples of non-penetrance in LDS have been documented. In some instances, non-penetrance is explained by mosaicism .
Source: GeneReviews — "Loeys-Dietz Syndrome"
No consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) have been published.
LDS should be suspected in individuals with the following vascular, skeletal, craniofacial, cutaneous, allergic/inflammatory, ocular, and family history findings .
Vascular
Dilatation or dissection of the aorta and other arteries. Aortic root dilatation is seen in more than 95% of probands; the aortic root is the most common site for a dissection to occur. In rare circumstances, aneurysms or dissections can be seen in other arteries in the head, chest, abdomen, or extremities in the absence of aortic involvement.
• Other arterial aneurysms and tortuosity
Source: GeneReviews — "Loeys-Dietz Syndrome"
FBN1-related Marfan syndrome is a systemic disorder with a high degree of clinical variability. Cardinal manifestations involve the ocular, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems. Cardiovascular manifestations include dilatation of the aorta at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva, a predisposition for aortic tear and rupture, mitral valve prolapse with or without regurgitation, tricuspid valve prolapse, and enlargement of the proximal pulmonary artery. Marfan syndrome is caused by pathogenic variants in FBN1 and inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.
Source: GeneReviews — "Loeys-Dietz Syndrome"
Genetic testing for SMAD2 is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for Loeys-Dietz syndrome 6 has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for Loeys-Dietz syndrome 6. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
An extensive review of management guidelines for Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) has been published (full text). Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with LDS, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended. Table 6. Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Craniofacial | Craniofacial exam for evidence of cleft palate craniosynostosis | — |
Allergy/ Gastrointestinal disease | Assessment for clinical manifestations of asthma, food allergy, eczema, allergic rhinitis, /or eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease | Ocular |
Genetic counseling | By genetics professionals2 | To obtain a pedigree inform affected persons their families re nature, MOI, implications of LDS to facilitate medical personal decision making LDS = Loeys-Dietz syndrome; MOI = mode of inheritance; MRA = magnetic resonance angiography 1. |
Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: Treatment of Manifestations Manifestation/Concern | Treatment | Considerations/Other |
Cardiovascular | Persons should be managed in a medical center familiar w/LDS. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Loeys-Dietz Syndrome"
The following should be avoided:
Contact sports, competitive sports, and isometric exercise. Note: Individuals can and should remain active with aerobic activities performed in moderation.
Agents that stimulate the cardiovascular system, including routine use of decongestants or triptan medications for migraine headache management
Activities that cause joint injury or pain
For individuals at risk for recurrent pneumothorax, breathing against a resistance (e.g., playing a brass instrument) or positive pressure ventilation (e.g., scuba diving)
Source: GeneReviews — "Loeys-Dietz Syndrome"
View trials for Loeys-Dietz syndrome 6
To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized in are recommended. Table 8. Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: Recommended Surveillance
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Cardiovascular | Echocardiography to monitor status of aortic root ascending aorta | At least annually or more often per cardiologist MRA or CTA w/3D reconstruction from head to pelvis to identify arterial aneurysms arterial tortuosity throughout the arterial tree |
Pectus deformity | Clinical assessment | At each visit or as needed Joint manifestations |
Cervical spine instability | Follow-up imaging | Per orthopedist Scoliosis |
Pes planus | Clinical assessment | At each visit or as needed |
Hernias | Clinical assessment for hernias | At each visit or annually Allergic/ |
Source: GeneReviews — "Loeys-Dietz Syndrome"
Phenotype severity distribution: 6 always present features, 20 common features.
No clinical trials have been registered for Loeys-Dietz syndrome 6.
58 publications have been identified in PubMed for Loeys-Dietz syndrome 6. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (40%), Epidemiology / Natural History (34%), and Basic Science / Preclinical (12%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Patient case studies | 23 | 40% |
Disease patterns and progression | 20 | 34% |
Laboratory research | 7 | 12% |
Other research | 2 | 3% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 2 | 3% |
Research summaries | 2 | 3% |
Clinical study results | 2 | 3% |
Kazaleh M (2026). [PMID: 41997522](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41997522/). *Ann Thorac Surg*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Moss ES (2026). [PMID: 41324520](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41324520/). *JACC Cardiovasc Imaging*. [Other]
Alsarhani WK (2026). [PMID: 42103274](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42103274/). *J AAPOS*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Nariai M (2026). [PMID: 41866242](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41866242/). *J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Edouard T (2026). [PMID: 41639855](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41639855/). *Orphanet J Rare Dis*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Zambetti BR (2026). [PMID: 42086160](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42086160/). *J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg*. [Other]
Devine KR (2026). [PMID: 41519957](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41519957/). *Sci Rep*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Yildiz M (2026). [PMID: 41392201](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41392201/). *Eur J Cardiothorac Surg*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Sado T (2026). [PMID: 41426201](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41426201/). *DEN Open*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Youssef A (2026). [PMID: 41718126](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41718126/). *Med Sci (Basel)*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Data assembled from 7 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 2:55 PM UTC
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Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
Common questions about Loeys-Dietz syndrome 6
Beta-adrenergic blockers or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) to hemodynamic stress |
AI-curated news mentioning Loeys-Dietz syndrome 6
Updated Feb 24, 2026
Stacey Watson, representing the Marfan Foundation, participated in a Congressional briefing for Rare Disease Day 2026, advocating for healthcare support for individuals with rare diseases. The event, hosted by NORD, emphasized the importance of patient advocacy in driving innovation.
A personalized home-based exercise training program significantly enhances aerobic exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in children with Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndromes. This study highlights the potential of tailored interventions in managing these rare conditions.