This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.

Rare Genetic Disorders

Single-gene disorders and rare conditions with clear hereditary causes, often diagnosed through genetic testing.

YES Is Achondroplasia genetic? ~100% heritable Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism caused by a specific mutation in the… YES Is Adrenoleukodystrophy genetic? ~100% heritable X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is caused by ABCD1 mutations causing accumulation of very long-chain f… YES Is Alagille Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable A multisystem disorder affecting the liver heart spine face and eyes caused by mutations in JAG1 or … YES Is Albinism genetic? ~100% heritable Oculocutaneous albinism results from mutations affecting melanin biosynthesis. Multiple gene types e… YES Is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency genetic? ~100% heritable Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a common hereditary condition that can lead to emphysema and liver… YES Is Alport Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Alport syndrome is a hereditary kidney disease caused by mutations in collagen genes. It leads to pr… YES Is Angelman Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Angelman syndrome is caused by loss of the maternal copy of the UBE3A gene on chromosome 15 and resu… YES Is Apert Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Apert syndrome is characterised by premature fusion of skull bones and fusion of the fingers and toe… YES Is Ataxia-Telangiectasia genetic? ~100% heritable A-T is a rare inherited disorder causing progressive loss of coordination immunodeficiency and a gre… YES Is Bardet-Biedl Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable A ciliopathy causing obesity retinal dystrophy polydactyly and renal anomalies. At least 21 BBS gene… YES Is Batten Disease genetic? ~100% heritable Batten disease (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) is a fatal childhood neurological disorder caused by… YES Is Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is caused by imprinting disorders at chromosome 11p15.5. It causes overg… YES Is CHARGE Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable CHARGE syndrome is caused by CHD7 mutations and affects the eyes heart choanae retardation genitalia… YES Is Campomelic Dysplasia genetic? ~100% heritable A severe skeletal dysplasia with sex reversal caused by SOX9 mutations or regulatory disruptions. Mo… YES Is Canavan Disease genetic? ~100% heritable Canavan disease is a fatal leukodystrophy caused by ASPA mutations causing spongy degeneration of wh… YES Is Complement Deficiency genetic? ~100% heritable Hereditary complement deficiencies predispose to recurrent bacterial infections particularly with en… YES Is Congenital Cataracts genetic? ~75% heritable Lens clouding present at birth. About 25–30% of congenital cataracts are hereditary with multiple ge… YES Is Cornelia de Lange Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable A multisystem developmental disorder caused by mutations in cohesin complex genes characterised by g… YES Is Darier's Disease genetic? ~100% heritable A skin disorder causing warty papules in seborrhoeic areas caused by ATP2A2 mutations affecting calc… YES Is Dentinogenesis Imperfecta genetic? ~100% heritable A hereditary dentin disorder causing abnormal tooth development; three types exist all linked to DSP… YES Is DiGeorge Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable DiGeorge syndrome (22q11.2 deletion syndrome) is caused by a small deletion on chromosome 22 and aff… YES Is DiGeorge Syndrome (22q11.2 deletion) genetic? ~100% heritable Caused by a deletion of chromosome 22q11.2 resulting in heart defects immune deficiency palate abnor… YES Is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy genetic? ~100% heritable Duchenne MD is the most severe form of muscular dystrophy almost exclusively affecting males. It is … YES Is Epidermolysis Bullosa genetic? ~100% heritable Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of inherited skin disorders causing extremely fragile skin that bli… YES Is Fabry Disease genetic? ~100% heritable Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by GLA mutations causing accumulation… YES Is Familial Mediterranean Fever genetic? ~100% heritable Familial Mediterranean fever causes recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation of the abdomen ches… YES Is Gaucher Disease Type 2 genetic? ~100% heritable Type 2 Gaucher disease is the most severe form causing rapidly progressive neurological deterioratio… YES Is Haemophilia genetic? ~100% heritable Haemophilia A and B are X-linked bleeding disorders caused by deficiencies in clotting factors VIII … YES Is Hereditary Deafness genetic? ~100% heritable GJB2 mutations (connexin 26) account for ~50% of autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss worl… YES Is Hereditary Haemochromatosis genetic? ~100% heritable Iron overload disorder very common in northern Europeans (~1 in 200 homozygous for C282Y). Penetranc… YES Is Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia genetic? ~100% heritable HHT causes abnormal blood vessel formation leading to recurrent nosebleeds and arteriovenous malform… YES Is Hereditary Hypophosphataemia genetic? ~100% heritable X-linked hypophosphataemia is the most common inherited form of rickets caused by PHEX mutations lea… YES Is Hereditary Multiple Exostoses genetic? ~100% heritable Multiple benign bone tumours (osteochondromas) caused by EXT1 or EXT2 mutations with risk of maligna… YES Is Hereditary Ptosis genetic? ~100% heritable Drooping of the upper eyelid. Isolated congenital ptosis shows autosomal dominant inheritance in man… YES Is Holt-Oram Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Heart-hand syndrome causing atrial septal defect and upper limb malformations due to TBX5 mutations. YES Is Hypochondroplasia genetic? ~100% heritable A relatively mild skeletal dysplasia causing short-limbed dwarfism caused by specific FGFR3 mutation… YES Is Ichthyosis genetic? ~100% heritable Ichthyosis is a group of skin conditions causing dry scaly skin. Several forms are inherited with di… YES Is Kabuki Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Kabuki syndrome is a rare developmental disorder characterised by distinctive facial features intell… YES Is Kallmann Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Delayed puberty with absent sense of smell due to deficient GnRH neurons. Multiple inheritance patte… YES Is Kennedy Disease (SBMA) genetic? ~100% heritable X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy caused by CAG repeat expansion in the androgen receptor … YES Is Krabbe Disease genetic? ~100% heritable Krabbe disease is a lysosomal storage disease causing progressive neurological deterioration. Neonat… YES Is Larsen Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Multiple large joint dislocations with distinctive facial features caused by FLNB filamin B mutation… YES Is Leber Congenital Amaurosis genetic? ~100% heritable The most severe inherited retinal dystrophy presenting in infancy. RPE65 gene therapy was the first … YES Is Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy genetic? ~100% heritable LHON is a mitochondrially inherited eye disease causing acute painless central vision loss. The muta… YES Is Leukodystrophy genetic? ~100% heritable A group of inherited disorders affecting the myelin sheath of the central nervous system. Over 30 ge… YES Is Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy genetic? ~100% heritable A heterogeneous group of progressive muscle disorders. Over 30 genetic subtypes exist; CAPN3 mutatio… YES Is Lowe Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Lowe syndrome (oculocerebrorenal syndrome) is an X-linked disorder causing cataracts intellectual di… YES Is MELAS Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes caused by mitochondrial DNA… YES Is Menkes Disease genetic? ~100% heritable Menkes disease is an X-linked copper deficiency disorder caused by ATP7A mutations. It causes severe… YES Is Metachromatic Leukodystrophy genetic? ~100% heritable MLD is caused by deficiency of arylsulfatase A leading to accumulation of sulfatides in the nervous … YES Is Microcephaly genetic? ~80% heritable Small brain circumference; primary (genetic) forms caused by mutations in genes controlling neuronal… YES Is Mucopolysaccharidosis genetic? ~100% heritable Mucopolysaccharidoses are a group of lysosomal storage diseases caused by deficiency of enzymes need… YES Is Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) genetic? ~100% heritable A group of lysosomal storage disorders caused by enzyme deficiencies leading to glycosaminoglycan ac… YES Is Myotonic Dystrophy genetic? ~100% heritable Myotonic dystrophy is the most common adult form of muscular dystrophy caused by trinucleotide repea… YES Is Nail-Patella Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable A rare disorder causing underdeveloped nails and kneecaps with kidney and eye complications due to L… YES Is Neurofibromatosis Type 1 genetic? ~100% heritable Affects 1 in 3000; caused by NF1 tumour suppressor mutations causing skin lesions nerve tumours and … YES Is Neurofibromatosis Type 2 genetic? ~100% heritable NF2 is a rare hereditary condition causing benign tumours of the auditory nerves leading to hearing … YES Is Niemann-Pick Disease genetic? ~100% heritable Niemann-Pick disease is a group of lysosomal storage disorders causing lipid accumulation. Different… YES Is Noonan Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Noonan syndrome is a common genetic disorder affecting heart development facial features and growth … YES Is OTC Deficiency genetic? ~100% heritable OTC deficiency is the most common urea cycle disorder caused by OTC gene mutations. It causes ammoni… YES Is Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy genetic? ~100% heritable Late-onset muscular dystrophy particularly common in French-Canadian and Bukharan Jewish populations… YES Is Osteogenesis Imperfecta genetic? ~100% heritable Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) is caused by mutations in genes encoding type I colla… YES Is Periodic Fever Syndromes genetic? ~100% heritable Hereditary periodic fever syndromes cause recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation. Multiple dif… YES Is Persistent Müllerian Duct Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable A disorder of sex development where Müllerian structures persist in chromosomally male individuals d… YES Is Pompe Disease genetic? ~100% heritable Pompe disease (glycogen storage disease type II) is caused by GAA mutations causing glycogen accumul… YES Is Prader-Willi Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Prader-Willi syndrome is caused by loss of function of genes on chromosome 15 that are normally only… YES Is Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia genetic? ~100% heritable Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a rare hereditary condition affecting the microscopic hairs that line … YES Is Primary Immunodeficiency genetic? ~100% heritable Primary immunodeficiencies are a group of over 350 inherited disorders affecting the immune system. … YES Is Retinitis Pigmentosa genetic? ~100% heritable Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of genetic eye disorders causing progressive loss of peripheral and … YES Is Robinow Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Robinow syndrome causes short stature skeletal abnormalities and distinctive facial features. Autoso… YES Is Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable A syndrome causing intellectual disability broad thumbs and toes and distinctive facial features due… YES Is Severe Combined Immunodeficiency genetic? ~100% heritable SCID is a group of rare life-threatening primary immunodeficiencies. The X-linked form caused by IL2… YES Is Silver-Russell Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable A growth retardation syndrome caused by imprinting defects at chromosome 11p15 or maternal UPD7. Ass… YES Is Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable SLO syndrome is caused by DHCR7 mutations affecting cholesterol synthesis. It causes intellectual di… YES Is Sotos Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable An overgrowth syndrome with tall stature macrocephaly and intellectual disability caused by NSD1 mut… YES Is Stargardt Disease genetic? ~100% heritable The most common inherited macular dystrophy causing progressive central vision loss in childhood or … YES Is Tay-Sachs Disease genetic? ~100% heritable Tay-Sachs disease is a fatal lysosomal storage disorder caused by HEXA mutations. Carrier screening … YES Is Thalassaemia genetic? ~100% heritable Thalassaemia encompasses a group of inherited blood disorders affecting haemoglobin production. Alph… YES Is Treacher Collins Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable A craniofacial dysostosis syndrome affecting cheekbones jaws and ears caused by TCOF1 mutations in ~… YES Is Tuberous Sclerosis Complex genetic? ~100% heritable Causes benign tumours in multiple organs (brain kidney lung skin) due to TSC1 or TSC2 mutations. ~65… YES Is Velocardiofacial Syndrome (22q11.2) genetic? ~100% heritable A multisystem disorder caused by 22q11.2 deletion causing heart defects cleft palate immune deficien… YES Is Waardenburg Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable A disorder causing pigmentation defects and congenital hearing loss due to neural crest development … YES Is Williams Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Williams syndrome is caused by a deletion of about 26 genes on chromosome 7 including the ELN gene. … YES Is Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is an X-linked primary immunodeficiency causing thrombocytopenia eczema and… YES Is Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable A contiguous gene deletion syndrome (4p16.3) causing severe intellectual disability seizures growth … YES Is Wolfram Syndrome genetic? ~100% heritable Wolfram syndrome causes diabetes insipidus diabetes mellitus optic atrophy and deafness. It is cause… YES Is Xeroderma Pigmentosum genetic? ~100% heritable Xeroderma pigmentosum causes extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet light and a dramatically increased r… PARTIAL Is Amyloidosis genetic? ~50% heritable Hereditary amyloidosis caused by TTR mutations leads to protein deposits in nerves and heart. Acquir… PARTIAL Is Brachycephaly genetic? ~50% heritable Isolated cranial shape variation; syndromic forms with craniosynostosis are caused by identifiable g… PARTIAL Is Ichthyosis Vulgaris genetic? ~90% heritable The most common inherited skin scaling disorder caused by FLG mutations. Semi-dominant inheritance; … PARTIAL Is Intellectual Disability (Genetic) genetic? ~70% heritable Genetic forms of intellectual disability include X-linked conditions like fragile X syndrome and Ret… PARTIAL Is Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome genetic? ~50% heritable A rare vascular anomaly with limb hypertrophy caused by somatic PIK3CA mutations. Most cases are spo… PARTIAL Is Polydactyly genetic? ~70% heritable Extra digit(s) on hands or feet. Isolated polydactyly is often autosomal dominant with reduced penet…

Want to know your personal genetic risk? CircleDNA's Premium Test covers 500+ health reports including many of the conditions on this list.

US readers: Already know your genetic risk? HealthLabs lets you order blood biomarker tests without a doctor's referral — 4,000+ tests, no insurance needed, results in 1–3 business days.

CircleDNA — Premium DNA Test

The world's most comprehensive at-home DNA test. 500+ personalised reports across cancer risk, heart health, diet, fitness, medication response, and family planning — trusted by 500,000+ people worldwide.

  • Results delivered in 18 days
  • Includes genetic counsellor access
  • Covers 500+ health & wellness reports
Get your full genetic profile →
DNA Testing

Know for Certain — Certified DNA Results in 3–5 Days

Understanding whether a condition runs in your family sometimes means confirming biological relationships. Paternity Lab provides court-admissible and personal-use DNA tests — AABB-accredited, with 99.99% accuracy.

  • Results in 3–5 business days
  • Court-admissible legal testing available
  • Discreet home collection kit included
Order a certified DNA test →
Identity Protection

Your genetic data is the most sensitive personal information you'll ever share online. In 2023 alone, millions of DNA test users had their data exposed in breaches. SmartCredit monitors for data breaches and removes your personal information from the web — try it for $1 for 7 days.