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Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome

Rubinstein syndrome, RTS

Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) is a genetic disease. It involves broad thumbs and toes, short stature, distinctive facial features, and varying degrees of intellectual disability.

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Causes

RTS is a rare condition. Variations in the genes CREBBP or EP300 are seen in some people with this condition.

Some people are missing the gene entirely. This is more typical in people with more severe problems.

Most cases are sporadic (not passed down through families). They are likely due to a new genetic variant that occurs either in the sperm or egg cells, or at the time of conception.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Other signs and symptoms may include:

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. Blood tests and x-rays may also be done.

Genetic tests can be done to determine if the genes involved in this disease are missing or changed.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for RTS. However, the following treatments can be used to manage problems commonly associated with the condition.

Support Groups

More information and support for people with RTS and their families can be found at:

Outlook (Prognosis)

The majority of children can learn to read at an elementary level. The majority of children have delayed motor development, but on average, they learn to walk by 2 1/2 years of age.

Possible Complications

Complications depend on what part of the body is affected. Complications may include:

When to Contact a Medical Professional

An appointment with a geneticist is recommended if your provider finds signs of RTS.

Prevention

Genetic counseling is advised for couples with a family history of this disease who are planning a pregnancy.

Related Information

Short stature
Low-set ears and pinna abnormalities
Palpebral slant - eye

References

Burkardt DD, Graham JM. Abnormal body size and proportion. In: Pyeritz RE, Korf BR, Grody WW, eds. Emery and Rimoin's Principles and Practice of Medical Genetics and Genomics: Clinical Principles and Applications. 7th ed. Cambridge, MA: Elsevier Academic Press; 2019:chap 4.

Jones KL, Jones MC, Campo MD. Very small stature, not skeletal dysplasia. In: Jones KL, Jones MC, Campo MD, eds. Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformation. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:100-133.

Wynshaw-Boris A, Klein O. Developmental genetics and birth defects. In: Cohn RD, Scherer SW, Hamosh A, eds. Thompson & Thompson Genetics and Genomics in Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 15.

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Review Date: 9/18/2023  

Reviewed By: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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