Disease Information

Summary

Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome is a condition that affects many parts of the body and occurs primarily in males. This condition is classified as an overgrowth syndrome, which means that affected infants are considerably larger than normal at birth (macrosomia) and continue to grow and gain weight at an unusual rate. The other signs and symptoms of Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome vary widely. People with mild cases often live into adulthood. People with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome have distinctive facial features including widely spaced eyes (ocular hypertelorism), an unusually large mouth (macrostomia), a large tongue (macroglossia) that may have a deep groove or furrow down the middle, a broad nose with an upturned tip, and abnormalities affecting the roof of the mouth (the palate). The facial features are often described as 'coarse' in older children and adults with this condition. Other features of Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome involve the chest and abdomen. Affected infants may be born with one or more extra nipples, an abnormal opening in the muscle covering the abdomen (diastasis recti), a soft out-pouching around the belly-button (an umbilical hernia), or a hole in the diaphragm (a diaphragmatic hernia) that allows the stomach and intestines to move into the chest and crowd the developing heart and lungs. Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome can also cause heart defects, malformed or abnormally large kidneys, an enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly), and skeletal abnormalities. Additionally, the syndrome can affect the development of the gastrointestinal system, urinary system, and genitalia. Some people with this condition have mild to severe intellectual disability, while others have normal intelligence. About 10 percent of people with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome develop cancerous or noncancerous tumors in early childhood. The most common tumors are a rare form of kidney cancer called Wilms tumor and a cancerous tumor called a neuroblastoma that arises from developing nerve cells.

About Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome

Many rare diseases have limited information. Currently, GARD aims to provide the following information for this disease:

  • Symptoms:May start to appear at a variety of ages.
  • Cause:This disease is caused by a change in the genetic material (DNA).
  • Organizations:Patient organizations dedicated to this rare disease are available on GARD, or you may contact a GARD Information Specialist for additional information.
  • Categories:Genetic diseases(Genetic diseases affect the DNA, or genetic instructions, which directs how tissues, organs, and body systems function.)Neurological diseases(Neurological diseases affect the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, autonomic nerves, or other peripheral nerves.)Kidney diseases(Kidney diseases affect the kidneys' ability to remove waste and water from blood, create urine, or make certain hormones.)Endocrine diseases(Endocrine diseases affect hormone production or how the body responds to a specific hormone(s).)Gastrointestinal diseases(Gastrointestinal diseases, or digestive diseases, affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.)Birth defects(Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part of the body, including how the body looks, works, or both.)

Resource(s) for Medical Professionals and Scientists on This Disease:

Resource(s) for Medical Professionals and Scientists on This Disease:

About Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome

Many rare diseases have limited information. Currently, GARD aims to provide the following information for this disease:

  • Symptoms:May start to appear at a variety of ages.
  • Cause:This disease is caused by a change in the genetic material (DNA).
  • Organizations:Patient organizations dedicated to this rare disease are available on GARD, or you may contact a GARD Information Specialist for additional information.
  • Categories:Genetic diseases(Genetic diseases affect the DNA, or genetic instructions, which directs how tissues, organs, and body systems function.)Neurological diseases(Neurological diseases affect the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, autonomic nerves, or other peripheral nerves.)Kidney diseases(Kidney diseases affect the kidneys' ability to remove waste and water from blood, create urine, or make certain hormones.)Endocrine diseases(Endocrine diseases affect hormone production or how the body responds to a specific hormone(s).)Gastrointestinal diseases(Gastrointestinal diseases, or digestive diseases, affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.)Birth defects(Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part of the body, including how the body looks, works, or both.)

Causes

What Causes This Disease?

Genetic Mutations

Genetic Mutations

Known Genetic Mutations


Can diseases be passed down from parent to child?

X-Linked

X-Linked

When Do Symptoms of Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome Begin?

Symptoms of this disease may start to appear at a variety of ages.

The age symptoms may begin to appear differs between diseases. Symptoms may begin in a single age range, or during several age ranges. The symptoms of some diseases may begin at any age. Knowing when symptoms may have appeared can help medical providers find the correct diagnosis.
  1. Prenatal Selected
    Before Birth
  2. Newborn Selected
    Birth-4 weeks
  3. Infant Selected
    1-23 months
  4. Child Selected
    2-11 years
  5. Adolescent
    12-18 years
  6. Adult
    19-65 years
  7. Older Adult
    65+ years
Symptoms may start to appear at a variety of ages.

Symptoms

You may have one or more symptoms, and they may be mild or severe. Having some or all of these symptoms does not mean you have this disease. Only a health care provider can diagnose you.

Common

Many people have these, but not everyone.

  • Abnormal cardiovascular system morphology
  • Abnormal helix morphology
  • Abnormal speech pattern
  • Abnormality of the ribs (Abnormal rib morphology)
  • Abnormally large tongue (Macroglossia)
  • Absent/small abdominal wall muscles (Aplasia/Hypoplasia of the abdominal wall musculature)
  • Accessory nipple (Supernumerary nipple)
  • An opening in the wall separating the top two chambers of the heart (Atrial septal defect)
  • Atypical nail growth (Nail dysplasia)
  • Big lower jaw (Mandibular prognathia)
  • Broad foot
  • Broad thumb
  • Bundle branch block
  • Cleft palate
  • Coarse facial features
  • Double ureter (Ureteral duplication)
  • Downward slanting of the opening between the eyelids (Downslanted palpebral fissures)
  • Ears rotated toward back of head (Posteriorly rotated ears)
  • Enlarged liver (Hepatomegaly)
  • Extra little finger (Postaxial hand polydactyly)
  • Finger syndactyly
  • Funnel chest (Pectus excavatum)
  • Fused toes (Toe syndactyly)
  • High levels of amniotic fluid (Polyhydramnios)
  • High, narrow palate
  • Hole in heart wall separating two lower heart chambers (Ventricular septal defect)
  • Hydronephrosis
  • Hydroureter
  • Increased size of skull (Macrocephaly)
  • Increased spleen size (Splenomegaly)
  • Inguinal hernia
  • Multicystic kidney dysplasia
  • Nasal tip, upturned (Anteverted nares)
  • Omphalocele
  • Permanent curving of the pinkie finger (Clinodactyly of the 5th finger)
  • Permanent flexion of the finger (Camptodactyly of finger)
  • Scoliosis
  • Short foot
  • Short index finger (Short 2nd finger)
  • Short neck
  • Short nose
  • Short toe
  • Small nail
  • Tall stature
  • Umbilical hernia
  • Undescended testes (Cryptorchidism)
  • Vertebral fusion
  • Vertebral segmentation defect
  • Webbed neck
  • Wide mouth
  • Wide nasal bridge
  • Wide-set eyes (Hypertelorism)

Uncommon

Some people have these, but most people do not.

  • Abnormality of the voice
  • Advanced bone age (Accelerated skeletal maturation)
  • Agenesis of corpus callosum
  • Cancer of early nerve cells (Neuroblastoma)
  • Cleft upper lip
  • Club feet (Talipes equinovarus)
  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  • Dandy-Walker malformation
  • Disease of the heart muscle (Cardiomyopathy)
  • Dislocated hip since birth (Congenital hip dislocation)
  • Eye folds (Epicanthus)
  • Global developmental delay
  • Hepatoblastoma
  • Hoarse voice
  • Hypospadias
  • Intellectual disability
  • Low muscle tone (Hypotonia)
  • Multiple small spleens (Polysplenia)
  • Neoplasm
  • Nephroblastoma
  • Pancreatic islet-cell hyperplasia
  • Seizure
  • Underdeveloped penis (Hypoplasia of penis)

Navigating Health Care Decisions

On average, it can take more than six years to receive an accurate diagnosis. Many primary care providers (PCPs) may not be familiar with rare diseases, and patients often need to visit multiple specialists or seek second opinions to get answers.

If a diagnosis remains unclear, visiting a multidisciplinary care center or university hospital may help. These centers bring together teams of specialists who can work together to evaluate symptoms and coordinate a diagnosis. This team-based approach is also helpful after a diagnosis, when managing care for rare diseases.

Because only about 5% of rare diseases have FDA-approved treatments, finding the right healthcare team to manage your symptoms and overall health is essential. People living with rare diseases often face challenges such as delayed diagnosis, limited treatment options, and difficulty accessing knowledgeable providers. Building a care team that understands your needs can make a significant difference in your quality of life.

Your Health Care Team

Why is building the right health care team important?

Building the right health care team is key to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of your long-term health journey living with a rare disease. Start by choosing a primary care provider (PCP). Your PCP will be your main point of contact and help coordinate care with other medical professionals. Your PCP may order tests or refer you to specialists. To find a PCP near you, use the Medicare provider search tool and enter your location and “Primary Care Provider.”

Seeing multiple specialists is important for people with rare diseases because these conditions often affect many parts of the body and require care from doctors with different expertise. Most primary care providers may not be familiar with rare diseases, so involving specialists can lead to a more accurate diagnosis and better care. A coordinated team approach ensures that all symptoms are addressed and that care is well-managed. It can also connect patients with the latest research or treatment options.

A PCP that specializes in the care of children is called a pediatrician. Use this tool by the American Academy of Pediatrics to find a pediatrician in your area by inputting your location.

These specialists may help in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome:

Multidisciplinary Care Centers

Is It Time to Get a Second Opinion or Specialized Evaluation?

If you've visited your PCP, met with specialists, and undergone the recommended tests, but are still searching for a diagnosis, it may be time to visit an academic medical center or, for pediatric patients, a children's hospital. Academic medical centers and children's hospitals, often called multidisciplinary care centers, typically bring together specialists from different fields to work together on complex cases like rare diseases.

Multidisciplinary care centers may offer more coordinated care and be involved in clinical research, which may help reduce the time to diagnosis and provide access to emerging diagnostic tools. Specialists at these centers may have a deeper understanding of rare diseases and serve as a resource when you'd like a second opinion, particularly when test results or treatment plans are not delivering expected results.

Find hospitals that may partner with medical schools and programs in your area. 

Children’s hospitals and large teaching hospitals may also offer dedicated specialists and programs for pediatric patients with undiagnosed or rare diseases. These programs bring pediatric experts together in one place and may provide more coordinated care for your child.

Search for children's or university hospitals in your area.


Rare Disease Experts

How can you find a rare disease expert?

If a diagnosis, care management, or treatment plan remains unclear despite extensive efforts by your PCP and specialists, it may be time to find a rare disease expert for your disease, if available. A rare disease expert is a medical provider that has knowledge or training on specific rare disease(s), but there may only be a few experts in your state, region, or country. Rare disease experts may work at large research or teaching hospitals, sometimes called centers of excellence. Centers of Excellence commit to sharing knowledge and best practices that can lead to improved care and treatment for individuals living with a rare disease. 

You can also contact a GARD Information Specialist for help finding experts, centers of excellence, or clinics that focus on your disease.

Find Your Community

How can patient organizations help?

Patient organizations can help patients and families connect. They build public awareness of the disease and are a driving force behind research to improve patients' lives. They may offer online and in-person resources to help people live well with their disease. Many collaborate with medical experts and researchers.

Services of patient organizations differ, but may include:

  • Ways to connect to others and share personal stories
  • Easy-to-read information
  • Up-to-date treatment and research information
  • Patient registries
  • Lists of specialists or specialty centers
  • Financial aid and travel resources


Please note: GARD provides organizations for informational purposes only and not as an endorsement of their services. Contact a GARD Information Specialist for more information on organizations that may be dedicated to this disease. Please contact an organization directly if you have questions about the information or resources it provides.


View GARD's criteria for including patient organizations, which can be found under the FAQs on our About GARD page. Request an update or to have your organization added to GARD. 

Patient Organizations

6 Organizations

People With

Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome

Country

United States

People With

Craniofacial anomalies

Helpful Links
Country

United States

People With

Craniofacial anomalies

Country

United States

People With

Craniofacial anomalies

Country

United States

People With

Kidney diseases

Helpful Links
Country

United States

People With

Kidney diseases

Country

United States

OrganizationPeople WithHelpful LinksCountry
FACES: The National Craniofacial AssociationSimpson-Golabi-Behmel syndromeUnited States
World Craniofacial FoundationCraniofacial anomaliesList of ExpertsUnited States
Children's Craniofacial AssociationCraniofacial anomaliesUnited States
myFaceCraniofacial anomaliesUnited States
National Kidney FoundationKidney diseasesResearch RegistryUnited States
Renal Support NetworkKidney diseasesUnited States

Participate in Research

Clinical studies are a part of clinical research and play an important role in medical advances for rare diseases. Through clinical studies, researchers may ultimately uncover better ways to treat, prevent, diagnose, and understand human diseases.

What Are Clinical Studies?

Clinical studies are medical research involving people as participants. There are two main types of clinical studies:

  1. Clinical trials determine if a new test or treatment for a disease is effective and safe by comparing groups receiving different tests/treatments.
  2. Observational studies involve recording changes over time among a specific group of people in their natural settings.

Learn more about clinical trials from this National Institutes of Health webpage.

Why Participate in Clinical Studies?

People participate in clinical trials for many reasons. People with a disease may participate to receive the newest possible treatment and additional care from clinical study staff as well as to help others living with the same or a similar disease. Healthy volunteers may participate to help others and to contribute to moving science forward.

To find the right clinical study we recommend you consult your doctors, other trusted medical professionals, and patient organizations. Additionally, you can use ClinicalTrials.gov to search for clinical studies by disease, terms, or location.

What if There Are No Available Clinical Studies?

Why may you want to consider joining the All of Us Research Program?

ClinicalTrials.gov, an affiliate of NIH, provides current information on clinical research studies in the United States and abroad. Talk to a trusted doctor before choosing to participate in any clinical study. We recommend checking this site often and searching for studies with related terms/synonyms to improve results.
Search ClinicalTrials.gov for this disease.

GARDGenetic and Rare Diseases
Information Center
Contact a GARD Information Specialist if you need help finding more information on this rare disease or available clinical studies. Please note that GARD cannot enroll individuals in clinical studies.
Contact GARD
Please allow 2 to 10 business days for us to respond.

Sources & References

Last Updated: September 2026