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Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome is a rare X-linked multiple congenital anomalies syndrome, characterized by pre- and postnatal overgrowth, distinctive craniofacial features, variable congenital malformations, organomegaly and an increased tumor risk.
Features include very common findings: Multicystic kidney dysplasia, Cryptorchidism, Tall stature, and Wide mouth and others; and common findings: Inguinal hernia, Hydroureter, Ureteral duplication, and Hydronephrosis and others. 78 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Arms and legs | 9 | Postaxial hand polydactyly, Broad foot, Short foot |
For the purposes of this GeneReview, the terms "male" and "female" are narrowly defined as the individual's biological sex at birth as it determines clinical care . Consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome type 1 (SGBS1) have not been established.
SGBS1 should be suspected in probands with the following clinical findings and family history.
Clinical findings
• Linear somatic overgrowth
No approved treatments are currently available for Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
No clinical practice guidelines for Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome type 1 (SGBS1) 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 SGBS1, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.
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. Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome Type 1: Recommended Surveillance for Males
No clinical trials have been registered for Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome.
27 publications have been identified in PubMed for Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome. Research spans Basic Science / Preclinical (48%), Review / Meta-Analysis (19%), and Case Report / Case Series (19%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Laboratory research | 13 | 48% |
Data assembled from 5 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 6:55 PM UTC
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome
Head and neck |
6 |
Macrocephaly, Coarse facial features, Mandibular prognathia |
Digestive system | 5 | Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), Aplasia/Hypoplasia of the abdominal wall musculature |
Heart and blood vessels | 4 | Ventricular septal defect, Atrial septal defect, Bundle branch block |
Bones and joints | 4 | Vertebral fusion, Vertebral segmentation defect, Sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis) |
Brain and nerves | 4 | Abnormal speech pattern, Intellectual disability, Seizure |
Kidneys and urinary system | 2 | Multicystic kidney dysplasia, Nephroblastoma |
Skin | 2 | Small nail, Nail dysplasia |
Pregnancy and birth | 2 | Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, Congenital hip dislocation |
Growth and development | 1 | Tall stature |
Blood and immune system | 1 | Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) |
Lab test results | 1 | Increased circulating IgE concentration |
Muscles | 1 | Low muscle tone (hypotonia) |
Voice | 1 | Abnormality of the voice |
Neoplasm | 1 | Neoplasm |
Age of onset: before birth, at birth.
Males and females can present similarly with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome type 1 (SGBS1). However, there is skewing of males to females in a 9:1 ratio. Individuals of both sexes present with overgrowth, characteristic facial features, skeletal abnormalities, and genitourinary dysfunction. Males often present with cryptorchidism. Females are less likely to present with significant manifestations of SGBS1, potentially due to skewed X-chromosome inactivation. There have not been extensive studies of sex differences in SGBS1 due to the small number of females reported to date and mildly affected or unaffected female carriers who do not present until they have an affected son. Affected Males SGBS1 is characterized by pre- and postnatal overgrowth, distinctive facies, and variable visceral, skeletal, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. To date, more than 180 individuals have been identified with a pathogenic variant in GPC3 . The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on these reports. Table 2. Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome Type 1: Frequency of Select Features
System | Feature | % of Persons w/Feature |
|---|---|---|
Overgrowth | Overgrowth (linear growth ≥2 SD above mean for age sex) | 89% |
Facial features | Macroglossia | 81% Macrostomia |
Cardiac | Congenital heart disease | 46% |
Genitourinary | Renal dysplasia, nephromegaly, duplicated renal system | 58% Cryptorchidism, hypospadias in males |
Musculoskeletal | Scoliosis, hand foot anomalies (e.g., brachydactyly, cutaneous syndactyly, polydactyly) | 59% |
Neurodevelopmental | Intellectual disability | 58% |
Neoplasia | Hepatoblastoma Wilms tumor (most common) | 10% |
Other features | Supernumerary nipples | 59% Diastasis recti, umbilical hernia |
Source: GeneReviews — "Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome Type 1"
• Characteristic facial features
Source: GeneReviews — "Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome Type 1"
Table 3.
Disorders to Consider in the Differential Diagnosis of Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome Type 1
Gene(s) | Disorder | MOI | Clinical Features of Disorder
Overlapping w/SGBS1 | Distinguishing from SGBS1
See footnote 1. | Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) | See footnote 1. | • Macrosomia
Macroglossia
Ear anomalies
Diastasis recti
Hypoglycemia
Genitourinary malformations
incidence of tumors
| • Appreciably different facial features (midface flattening in BWS; broader forehead in SGBS1)
Source: GeneReviews — "Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome Type 1"
Biomarker and diagnostic research for Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome has been reported in the published literature.
Table 4.
Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome Type 1: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| Assess for macroglossia orofacial clefting. | Referral to craniofacial team incl feeding specialists
Eyes | Ophthalmologic exam |
| Audiologic eval |
| Consider chest radiograph, EKG, echocardiogram. | To evaluate for structural heart defects conduction abnormalities
| Assess for upper-airway sufficiency signs/symptoms of sleep apnea; consider formal sleep study. | Particularly in those w/hypotonia macroglossia
| Exam for hypospadias undescended testes in males; renal ultrasound to assess for renal anomalies | Referral to urologist as needed
| Abdominal/pelvic ultrasound to initiate tumor screening | Further studies (e.g., MRI) may be indicated if findings are suspicious for a tumor.
Measurement of serum AFP | As a baseline screen for hepatoblastoma
| Clinical eval for scoliosis | Particula...
Source: GeneReviews — "Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome Type 1"
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 — "Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome Type 1"
View trials for Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome
Evaluation |
|---|
Frequency/Comment |
|---|
Eyes | Ophthalmologic eval | Annually in childhood or as indicated Hearing |
Respiratory | Sleep study | If history of sleep disturbance |
Renal | Routine monitoring of kidney function | If renal anomalies present |
Musculoskeletal | Eval for scoliosis | At least annually or during periods of rapid growth |
Endocrine | Monitor serum glucose levels for hypoglycemia secondary to risk for hyperinsulinemia. | In neonatal period |
Neurodevelopment | Monitor for developmental progress. | At each clinic visit |
Cancer predisposition | Tumor screening for Wilms tumor hepatoblastoma | Abdominal ultrasound serum AFP level every 3 mos from time of diagnosis until age 3 yrs Tumor screening for neuroblastoma gonadoblastoma |
Source: GeneReviews — "Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome Type 1"
Phenotype severity distribution: 21 very common features, 34 common features.
Estimated prevalence: <1 in 1,000,000 (VERY_RARE).
Research summaries
5 |
19% |
Patient case studies | 5 | 19% |
Disease patterns and progression | 2 | 7% |
Other research | 1 | 4% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 1 | 4% |
Xu X (2026). [PMID: 41546782](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41546782/). *J Mol Histol*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Zhao T (2026). [PMID: 41122961](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41122961/). *Am J Med Genet A*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Dignam JP (2026). [PMID: 41320177](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41320177/). *Br J Pharmacol*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Li Q (2026). [PMID: 41495449](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41495449/). *Int J Obes (Lond)*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Moss T (2026). [PMID: 41332312](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41332312/). *Am J Med Genet A*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Colitti M (2026). [PMID: 41880863](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41880863/). *Tissue Cell*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Schultz DR (2026). [PMID: 41797196](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41797196/). *Environ Int*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Piao Q (2025). [PMID: 40422229](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40422229/). *Cells*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Pio L (2025). [PMID: 40404742](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40404742/). *Nat Rev Dis Primers*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Rahiman EA (2025). [PMID: 39880477](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39880477/). *BMJ Case Rep*. [Case Report / Case Series]