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Renal coloboma syndrome (RCS) is a genetic condition characterized by optic nerve dysplasia and renal hypodysplasia.
Features include always present findings: Chronic kidney disease, Reduced visual acuity, and Elevated creatinine (kidney function marker) (elevated circulating creatinine concentration); and very common findings: Reduced kidney function (renal insufficiency) and Optic nerve dysplasia. 48 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Kidneys and urinary system | 15 | Stage 5 chronic kidney disease, Renal hypoplasia, Horseshoe kidney |
Eyes | 11 | Retinal detachment, Strabismus, Retinal coloboma |
Brain and nerves | 3 | Seizure, Intellectual disability, Scarring in the brain (gliosis) |
Skin | 3 | Soft skin, Hyperextensible skin, Macular hyperpigmentation |
Bones and joints | 2 | Sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis), Joint hypermobility |
Ears | 2 | Inner ear hearing loss (sensorineural hearing impairment), Hearing loss (hearing impairment) |
Growth and development | 1 | Short stature |
Muscles | 1 | Chorioretinal atrophy |
Heart and blood vessels | 1 | Hypertension |
Lab test results | 1 | Elevated creatinine (kidney function marker) (elevated circulating creatinine concentration) |
PAX2-related disorder is associated with abnormalities involving the kidneys and/or the eyes. The original PAX2-related disorder known as renal coloboma syndrome is characterized by hypodysplastic kidneys and optic nerve abnormalities (most commonly optic nerve dysplasia) with or without optic nerve or retinal coloboma . Variability. The clinical findings vary even within families, with some family members having either renal manifestations or optic nerve abnormalities and others having both. The severity of renal malformations can range within a family from absence of clinical symptoms to severe fetal renal failure.
Source: GeneReviews — "PAX2-Related Disorder"
PAX2 function has not been fully characterized.
Renal coloboma syndrome is associated with mutations in the PAX2 gene on chromosome 10.
Review of all reported cases to date does not reveal a consistent genotype/phenotype correlation. This is most dramatically illustrated by the tremendous intrafamilial variability in the severity of ocular and renal findings. To date, no clear evidence suggests that the location of a pathogenic variant (paired domain, octapeptide domain, partial homeodomain, or transactivation domain) or the type of pathogenic variant (missense variant, nonsense variant, or gene deletion) consistently predicts the clinical phenotype.
Source: GeneReviews — "PAX2-Related Disorder"
Only one individual with a pathogenic variant in PAX2 in whom renal and ophthalmologic examinations were performed and documented as normal has been reported . Thus, penetrance appears to be greater than 99%. In individuals with pathogenic variants in PAX2, the penetrance of eye malformations is at least 77% . This should be viewed as a minimum figure, as fully 21% of individuals with PAX2 pathogenic variants have not had a dilated eye examination to evaluate for subclinical abnormalities of the optic nerve. The penetrance for renal malformations or renal disease is at least 92%. Again, this figure should be viewed as a minimum, as some individuals with pathogenic variants have not had full renal evaluations.
Source: GeneReviews — "PAX2-Related Disorder"
Renal coloboma syndrome (or papillorenal syndrome) was the name given to an autosomal dominant condition associated with renal hypodysplasia and abnormalities of the optic nerve and a heterozygous pathogenic variant in PAX2. With improved access to molecular genetic testing, more individuals have been identified and it has become clear that multiple phenotypes beyond that of classic renal coloboma syndrome may be associated with pathogenic variants in PAX2. The authors feel that the term "PAX2-related disorder" best reflects this wide phenotypic variability. There are no formal diagnostic criteria for PAX2-related disorder.
PAX2-related disorder should be suspected in individuals with the following clinical findings in the and/or . Note: PAX2 pathogenic variants are more ...
Source: GeneReviews — "PAX2-Related Disorder"
Table 2. Disorders to Consider in the Differential Diagnosis of PAX2-Related Disorder
Diff Dx Disorder | Gene(s)/Other | MOI | Clinical Features of DiffDx Disorder |
|---|---|---|---|
Kidney | Eye | Distingishing from PAX2-related disorder | — |
CHARGE syndrome1 | CHD72 | AD |
Genetic testing for PAX2 is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for renal coloboma syndrome has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for renal coloboma syndrome. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with PAX2-related disorder, the following are recommended if they have not already been completed:
Evaluation of renal structure by renal ultrasound examination
Measurement of renal function by serum electrolyte concentrations, BUN, and creatinine
Urinalysis to evaluate for the presence of blood and protein
Evaluation for vesicoureteral reflux, by voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)
Dilated eye examination
Audiologic assessment (See Genetic Hearing Loss Overview for details of audiologic assessment.)
Consultation with a clinical geneticist and/or genetic counselor
A team approach that includes specialists in ophthalmology, nephrology, audiology, and clinical genetics is recommended. Management is focused on preventing complications of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and/or vision loss resulting from retinal detachment.
Ongoing treatment of hypertension and/or vesicoureteral reflux (if present) may preserve renal function.
ESRD is treated with renal replacement therapy (i.e., dialysis and/or renal transplantation).
Low vision experts can assist with adaptive functioning of those with significant vision loss.
Prevention of retinal detachment in those with congenital optic nerve abnormalities includes close follow up with an ophthalmologist and use of protective eyewear.
No disease-specific guidelines hav...
Source: GeneReviews — "PAX2-Related Disorder"
Avoid the following:
Use of medications known to affect renal function (requires consultation with a specialist in nephrology)
Contact sports
Source: GeneReviews — "PAX2-Related Disorder"
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 — "PAX2-Related Disorder"
View trials for renal coloboma syndrome
No disease-specific guidelines have been developed. The following ongoing evaluations are recommended in all individuals with PAX2-related disorder.
Follow up by a nephrologist to monitor renal function and blood pressure
Follow up by an ophthalmologist to monitor vision. Any change in vision could indicate a retinal detachment and should be treated as a medical emergency.
Audiometric evaluation with periodic follow up
Source: GeneReviews — "PAX2-Related Disorder"
Phenotype severity distribution: 3 always present features, 2 very common features, 13 common features.
Estimated prevalence: <1 in 1,000,000 (VERY_RARE).
No clinical trials have been registered for renal coloboma syndrome.
118 publications have been identified in PubMed for renal coloboma syndrome. Kisho has analyzed 72 by research type. Research spans Review / Meta-Analysis (39%), Case Report / Case Series (21%), and Basic Science / Preclinical (17%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Research summaries | 28 | 39% |
Patient case studies | 15 | 21% |
Laboratory research | 12 | 17% |
Disease patterns and progression | 10 | 14% |
Clinical study results | 5 | 7% |
Other research | 1 | 1% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 1 | 1% |
Sultana N (2026). [PMID: 41694625](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41694625/). *Clin Case Rep*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Yamamura Y (2026). [PMID: 42149720](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42149720/). *FEBS Open Bio*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Zhi W (2026). [PMID: 41971231](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41971231/). *Kidney Med*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Gomez VL (2026). [PMID: 41751498](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41751498/). *Curr Issues Mol Biol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Young RE (2026). [PMID: 40931319](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40931319/). *Clin Genet*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Malarska M (2025). [PMID: 40237890](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40237890/). *J Nephrol*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Karuntu JS (2025). [PMID: 39733931](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39733931/). *Prog Retin Eye Res*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Massoudi D (2025). [PMID: 40745060](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40745060/). *Nat Rev Nephrol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Zutshi S (2025). [PMID: 41102447](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41102447/). *Indian J Pediatr*. [Other]
Caparali EB (2025). [PMID: 39899372](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39899372/). *J Am Soc Nephrol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Data assembled from 7 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 12:35 AM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Branchiootorenal syndrome3 | EYA14SIX1 | AD | Oligomeganephronia, renal malformations ranging from mild renal hypoplasia to bilateral renal agenesis, ESRD later in life in some |
Cat-eye syndrome (OMIM 115470) | Tetraploid dosage of proximal 22q | AD | Kidney abnormalities |
PAX6 pathogenic variants(See Aniridia.) | PAX65 | AD | No kidney findings reported |
Joubert syndrome and related disorders (JSRD) | 30 genes | AR6XL | Renal disease in some |
Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT)8 | 20 genes | ADAR | Renal hypodysplasia / agenesis, vesico-urerteral reflux, cystic dysplasia, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, other urinary tract abnormalities |
Source: GeneReviews — "PAX2-Related Disorder"