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A rare multisystemic genetic disorder characterized by a characteristic facial features with macrocephaly, overgrowth in infancy, intellectual disability and behavioral problems including anxieties and aggressiveness.
Features include always present findings: Overgrowth, Intellectual disability, and Delayed speech and language development; and very common findings: Low muscle tone (hypotonia), Long face, and Accelerated skeletal maturation. 58 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Brain and nerves | 13 | Anxiety, Enlarged brain ventricles (ventriculomegaly), Intellectual disability |
Head and neck | 8 | Macrocephaly, Narrow face, Everted lower lip vermilion |
Eyes | 4 | Strabismus, Nystagmus, Optic disc pallor |
Bones and joints | 3 | Sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis), Accelerated skeletal maturation, Slender long bone |
Muscles | 2 | Low muscle tone (hypotonia), Neonatal hypotonia |
Arms and legs | 1 | Long fingers |
Growth and development | 1 | Tall stature |
Pregnancy and birth | 1 | Neonatal hypotonia |
Digestive system | 1 | Feeding difficulties in infancy |
NFIX-related Malan syndrome (MALNS) was first reported in three individuals with overgrowth and heterozygous pathogenic variants in NFIX in 2010 . Since that time, at least 100 individuals have been identified with MALNS [, , , , , , , , , , , , ]. The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on these reports. Table 2. NFIX-Related Malan Syndrome: Frequency of Select Features
System | Feature | % of Persons w/Feature1 | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
Facial | Distinctive facial features | 100% | — |
Growth |
NFIX encodes nuclear factor I X (502 aa). Recognizes and binds the palindromic sequence 5'-TTGGCNNNNNGCCAA-3' present in viral and cellular promoters and in the origin of replication of adenovirus type 2. Highest expression in Brain Cerebellar Hemisphere (225.6 TPM) and Brain Cerebellum (208.3 TPM).
Malan overgrowth syndrome is caused by mutations in the NFIX gene on chromosome 19.
NFIX is classified as a druggable target (Transcription Factor category) with score 0.0.
No consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for NFIX-related Malan syndrome (MALNS) have been published.
MALNS should be suspected in individuals with at least five out of the following eight features [, , , ]:
Prenatal overgrowth, often with a diagnosis of being large for gestational age
Postnatal overgrowth (length/height and/or head circumference ≥2 standard deviations [SD] above mean for age and sex)
Developmental delay/ intellectual disability
Behavioral problems
Distinctive facial features (See .)
Advanced bone age and/or skeletal anomalies, such as scoliosis, pes planus, and pectus anomaly
Slender body habitus
Ocular findings, most commonly strabismus, refractive errors, and blue sclerae
Source: GeneReviews — "NFIX-Related Malan Syndrome"
(SS), a syndromic overgrowth condition, is the primary differential diagnosis of NFIX-related Malan syndrome (MALNS). SS and MALNS are phenotypically similar and have overlapping clinical presentations but are distinguished by significant differences in the severity and frequency of several key features.
Source: GeneReviews — "NFIX-Related Malan Syndrome"
Genetic testing for NFIX is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
No approved treatments are currently available for Malan overgrowth syndrome. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
Suggested management and follow up recommendations for individuals with NFIX-related Malan syndrome (MALNS) have been published .
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with MALNS, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.
Table 4.
NFIX-Related Malan Syndrome: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| Measurement of weight, length/height, head circumference | To assess for macrocephaly postnatal overgrowth
Calculate BMI calorie intake. | In those age 2 years
Gastrointestinal/
| Assess dietary intake variety of foods eaten. | • Consider eval for gastrostomy tube placement in persons w/dysphagia /or aspiration risk.
If BMI is 2 SD below mean for age sex, reevaluate appropriateness of reported caloric intake.
Assess for signs/symptoms of constipation. |
Physical exam | • To screen for hepatomegaly, although most hepatomegaly described to date has not been assoc w/liver dysfunction
Consider abdominal ultrasound if hepatomegaly is suspected by physical exam.
| Neurologic eval, incl for signs/symptoms of Chiari I malformation1 | Brain MRI should be considered for those w/concerning symptoms of Chiari I malformation or in those w/seizures.
Assess for signs/symptoms of seizures. | • Consider EEG if seizures are a concern.
Source: GeneReviews — "NFIX-Related Malan Syndrome"
Search ClinicalTrials.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 — "NFIX-Related Malan Syndrome"
1 trial found
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. NFIX-Related Malan Syndrome: Recommended Surveillance
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Growth/Nutrition | Measurement of growth parameters | At each visit; 1st BMI eval should be performed after age 2 yrs. Assessment of caloric intake BMI (in those age 2 yrs)1 |
Psychiatric | Monitor developmental progress, educational needs, psychopathologic symptoms. | From age 12 mos to approximatively 36 mos: annually; From age 3 yrs to adulthood: every 2 yrs |
Musculoskeletal | Physical medicine, OT/PT assessment of mobility, presence or progression of scoliosis/kyphosis, pes planus, pectus anomaly | At each visit Consider DXA eval for bone mineral density. |
Eyes/Vision | Ophthalmology eval | Annually until puberty; Periodic eval should be performed in adults to evaluate for late-onset optic nerve degeneration. |
Hearing | Audiology eval | Annually in childhood or as clinically indicated |
ENT/Mouth | Routine dental/orthodontic evals | At least annually |
Cardiovascular | Cardiology eval, w/consideration of echocardiogram | If baseline eval is normal, consider annual cardiology follow up. |
Source: GeneReviews — "NFIX-Related Malan Syndrome"
Phenotype severity distribution: 3 always present features, 3 very common features, 29 common features.
Estimated prevalence: <1 in 1,000,000 (VERY_RARE).
1 clinical trial registered, 1 recruiting. Interventions under study include other interventions. Research is primarily sponsored by academic and government institutions.
29 publications have been identified in PubMed for Malan overgrowth syndrome. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (38%), Review / Meta-Analysis (24%), and Epidemiology / Natural History (21%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Patient case studies | 11 | 38% |
Research summaries | 7 | 24% |
Disease patterns and progression | 6 | 21% |
Other research | 2 | 7% |
Laboratory research | 2 | 7% |
Clinical study results | 1 | 3% |
Nisbet AF (2026). [PMID: 41930635](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41930635/). *Am J Med Genet A*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Li BT (2026). [PMID: 41644449](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41644449/). *Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Chetcuti L (2026). [PMID: 40858780](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40858780/). *Mol Psychiatry*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Liu Y (2026). [PMID: 41428178](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41428178/). *Adv Ther*. [Clinical Trial Publication]
Minerva M (2026). [PMID: 42038232](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42038232/). *Front Pediatr*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Dubey S (2026). [PMID: 40984629](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40984629/). *J Child Neurol*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Zigler CK (2026). [PMID: 41114730](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41114730/). *J Child Psychol Psychiatry*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Yehia L (2026). [PMID: 41844650](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41844650/). *NPJ Genom Med*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Bakhos C (2026). [PMID: 41767010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41767010/). *Front Neurol*. [Other]
Butti N (2025). [PMID: 40003249](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40003249/). *Children (Basel)*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Data assembled from 9 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 18, 2026, 6:39 PM UTC
Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) provide support, resources, and community for patients and caregivers.
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about Malan overgrowth syndrome
Macrocephaly
100% |
77% of adults maintain a head circumference 2 SD above mean. |
Postnatal length/height 2 SD above mean | 56% | Final adult height falls w/in 2 SD of mean in two thirds of affected persons. | — |
Neurologic | Developmental delay/ intellectual disability | 100% | May vary from moderate to severe |
Hypotonia | 65% | — | — |
Epilepsy/ EEG anomalies | 10/16 (63%)2 | Persons w/contiguous deletion incl NFIX surrounding genes have higher risk of epilepsy compared to those w/intragenic NFIX pathogenic variant. | — |
Autonomic signs | 4/16 (25%)2 | Incl episodic ataxia w/dizziness nausea /or postural fainting | — |
Neurobehavioral/psychiatric manifestations | 12/14 (86%)2,3 | 10/15 (67%)2 showed hypersensitivity to noise.3 | — |
Musculoskeletal | Slender body habitus | 16/16 (100%)2 | — |
Advanced bone age | 76% | — | — |
Abnormal spine curvature | 12/16 (75%)2 | — | — |
Pectus carinatum, excavatum, or mixed | 10/16 (63%)2 | — | — |
Pes planus | 11/16 (69%)2 | — | — |
Long hands fingers | 10/16 (63%)2 | — | — |
Long bone fractures | 5/16 (31%)2 | — | — |
Eye | Refractive errors | 75% | — |
Strabismus | 10/16 (63%)2 | — | — |
Esotropia | 9/16 (56%)2 | — | — |
Nystagmus | 5/16 (31%)2 | — | — |
Blue sclerae | 11/16 (69%)2 | Mainly persisting after infancy | — |
Cataract | 2/16 (13%)2 | Mainly polar posterior cataract | — |
Optic nerve hypoplasia | 25% | — | — |
Cardiovascular | Cardiovascular anomalies | 4% | Low-grade mitral regurgitation is most common finding;4 other CHD aortic root dilatation are less common but require assessment monitoring . |
Mouth | Malocclusion | 7/16 (44%)2 | — |
Ogival (narrow) palate/ dental crowding | 9/16 (56%)2 | — | — |
Dental caries | 6/16 (38%)2 | — | — |
Oral apraxia/ hypersalivation | 31% (5/16)2 | — | — |
Other | Constipation | 50% (8/16)2 | — |
Hepatomegaly | 25% (4/16)2 | — | — |
Low BMI | 38% (6/16)2 | — | — |
Cryptorchidism | 13% (2/16)2 | — | — |
Hearing loss | 2% | Of the 2 reported persons w/this finding, both had sensorineural hearing loss. Adapted from and BMI = body mass index; CHD = congenital heart defects; SD = standard deviations Percentages refer to individuals with a pathogenic variant in NFIX. | — |
Source: GeneReviews — "NFIX-Related Malan Syndrome"