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Features include always present findings: Short nose, Relative macrocephaly, Delayed ability to crawl, and Sparse eyebrow and others; and very common findings: Deeply set eye and Midface retrusion. 82 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Brain and nerves | 12 | Seizure, Intellectual disability, Global developmental delay |
Head and neck | 7 | Relative macrocephaly, Submucous cleft hard palate, Hypoplasia of the maxilla |
Growth and development | 4 | Short stature, Failure to thrive, Intrauterine growth retardation |
Muscles | 4 | Flexion contracture, Low muscle tone (hypotonia), Damage to the optic nerve (optic atrophy) |
Digestive system | 4 | Intestinal atresia, Feeding difficulties, Chronic diarrhea |
Eyes | 3 | Strabismus, Damage to the optic nerve (optic atrophy), Cerebral visual impairment |
Bones and joints | 3 | Joint hypermobility, Sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis), Excessive outward curvature of the upper spine (kyphosis) |
Heart and blood vessels | 3 | Aortic regurgitation, Ventricular septal defect, Atrial septal defect |
Arms and legs | 2 | Short foot, Small hand |
Kidneys and urinary system | 2 | Unilateral renal agenesis, Horseshoe kidney |
Lungs and breathing | 1 | Unilateral lung agenesis |
Skin | 1 | Hyperextensible skin |
Pregnancy and birth | 1 | Neonatal hypotonia |
Age of onset: before birth, at birth.
Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim (ZTTK) syndrome is characterized by developmental delay and intellectual disability with a broad range of abnormalities in multiple organs. The phenotypic delineation is limited, particularly with respect to potential age-related manifestations such as neurodegeneration or clinical regression; the majority of reported individuals are children and adolescents younger than age 20 years and longitudinal data remain sparse. To date, approximately 79 individuals with a pathogenic variant in SON have been documented in the literature . However, as of May 2025, the estimated number of individuals with a SON pathogenic variant identified was 450-500 worldwide (communication with ZTTK SON-Shine Foundation). The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on these reports . Table 2. Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome: Frequency of Select Features
Feature | % of Persons w/Feature | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Developmental delay | 100% | Mild to profound; speech delay (97%), feeding difficulty (64%) |
SON function has not been fully characterized.
ZTTK syndrome is caused by mutations in the SON gene on chromosome 21.
No clinically relevant genotype-phenotype correlations have been identified.
Source: GeneReviews — "Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome"
Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim (ZTTK) syndrome should be considered in individuals with the following clinical and imaging findings and family history.
Clinical findings
Source: GeneReviews — "Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome"
The phenotypic features associated with Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim (ZTTK) syndrome are not sufficient to diagnose this condition clinically. All disorders with developmental delay and intellectual disability without other distinctive findings should be considered in the differential diagnosis. See OMIM Phenotypic Series for genes associated with:
Autosomal dominant intellectual developmental disorders;
Autosomal recessive intellectual developmental disorders;
Nonsyndromic x-linked intellectual developmental disorders;
Syndromic x-linked intellectual developmental disorders.
Source: GeneReviews — "Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome"
Genetic testing for SON is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for ZTTK syndrome has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for ZTTK syndrome. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
No clinical practice guidelines for Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim (ZTTK) syndrome have been published.
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with ZTTK syndrome, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to diagnosis) are recommended.
Table 3.
Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| Developmental assessment | • To incl motor, adaptive, cognitive, speech-language eval
Eval for early intervention/ special education
| • Neurologic eval
Assess for seizures movement disorder.
| • To incl brain MRI
Consider EEG.
Neurobehavioral/
| Neuropsychiatric eval | For persons age 12 mos: screening for concerns incl sleep disturbances findings suggestive of ASD
| Orthopedics/ physical medicine rehab/ PT OT eval incl assessment for craniosynostosis | To incl assessment of:
Gross motor fine motor skills
Kyphoscoliosis, contractures, hypermobility, other musculoskeletal abnormalities
Mobility, ADL, need for adaptive devices
Need for PT (to improve gross motor skills) /or OT (to improve fine motor skills)
Eyes | Ophthalmologic eval | To assess for vision, abnormal ocular movement, best corrected visual acuity, refractive errors, strabismus
Nutrition/Feeding/
| • Assess weight, length head circumference.
Source: GeneReviews — "Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim 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 — "Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome"
View trials for ZTTK syndrome
To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized in are recommended. Table 5. Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome: Recommended Surveillance
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Development | Monitor developmental progress educational needs. | At each visit Neurobehavioral/ Psychiatric |
Ophthalmologic involvement | Ophthalmologist exam | Per treating ophthalmologist(s) or as clinically indicated Growth/Nutrition/ Feeding |
Genitourinary/kidney manifestations | Assess for new manifestations such as inguinal hernia. | At each visit Kidney ultrasound to assess for polycystic kidneys, kidney size, other kidney abnormalities |
Hematologic | Assess for new manifestations such as easy bruising/bleeding. | At each visit |
Cardiovascular | Follow up per treating cardiologist. | Per treating cardiologist |
Immunologic | Assess for severe or recurrent infections. | At each visit Gastrointestinal |
Source: GeneReviews — "Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome"
Phenotype severity distribution: 24 always present features, 2 very common features, 14 common features.
Estimated prevalence: <1 in 1,000,000 (VERY_RARE).
No clinical trials have been registered for ZTTK syndrome.
125 publications have been identified in PubMed for ZTTK syndrome. Research spans Review / Meta-Analysis (66%), Basic Science / Preclinical (13%), and Case Report / Case Series (7%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Research summaries | 83 | 66% |
Laboratory research | 16 | 13% |
Patient case studies | 9 | 7% |
Disease patterns and progression | 8 | 6% |
Other research | 5 | 4% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 3 | 2% |
Clinical study results | 1 | 1% |
Ates K (2026). [PMID: 40636265](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40636265/). *Mol Syndromol*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Papazachariou A (2026). [PMID: 41128447](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41128447/). *Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Okamoto K (2026). [PMID: 42051226](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42051226/). *Congenit Anom (Kyoto)*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Amado C (2026). [PMID: 40975490](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40975490/). *Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Anderson EN (2026). [PMID: 41468891](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41468891/). *Am J Hum Genet*. [Diagnostic / Biomarker]
Shabshin G (2025). [PMID: 40261331](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40261331/). *Orthopadie (Heidelb)*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Karuntu JS (2025). [PMID: 39733931](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39733931/). *Prog Retin Eye Res*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Pignataro G (2025). [PMID: 41010942](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41010942/). *Medicina (Kaunas)*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Rafeienejad F (2025). [PMID: 40707997](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40707997/). *J Med Case Rep*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Pena C (2025). [PMID: 40146047](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40146047/). *Minerva Med*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Data assembled from 8 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 20, 2026, 3:02 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about ZTTK syndrome
Intellectual disability | 100% | Moderate to severe |
Brain malformations | 92% | — |
Behavioral issues | 56% | Sleep disturbance (26%), autism spectrum disorder (13%) |
Seizures | 50%-60% | — |
Facial dysmorphism | 95% | — |
Skeletal abnormalities | 83% | Scoliosis/kyphosis, joint contractures /or hypermobility, pes planus, small feet, short toes, finger abnormalities (small or long fingers) |
Ophthalmologic abnormalities | 69% | Strabismus, hypermetropia, /or cortical vision impairment Growth deficiency |
Low weight | 56% | Low birth weight (33%) |
Short stature | 54% | Growth hormone deficiency (14%) |
Microcephaly | 28% | — |
Genitourinary/kidney abnormalities | 47% | Kidney abnormalities (38%) other anomalies: hypoplastic labia major, shawl scrotum, undescended testes |
Hematologic abnormalities | 33% | — |
Cardiac defects | 33% | — |
Immunologic abnormalities | 32% | — |
Gastrointestinal structural anomalies | 20% | Structural abnormalities of intestines, stomach, gallbladder |
Hearing abnormalities | 15% | Developmental delay and intellectual disability. Mild-to-profound developmental delay/ intellectual disabilities has been reported in all individuals. Hypotonia is common. Reported delays include motor delays in rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking. Infants have feeding difficulties. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome"
AI-curated news mentioning ZTTK syndrome
Updated Sep 16, 2026
A recent study expands the cardiac phenotype of ZTTK syndrome, detailing a case of Shone's complex associated with a novel SON gene variant. This research highlights the diverse cardiac manifestations in patients with ZTTK syndrome.