Rahman Syndrome

Rahman syndrome is a genetic syndrome that includes mild to severe intellectual disability and an increase in height, weight, or head size (overgrowth). The overgrowth is more apparent in infancy and may lessen with time. Other symptoms may include curved fingers, eyes that may not line up in the same direction (strabismus), and facial features such as full cheeks and an increase in the distance between the eyes. The syndrome is caused by changes (mutations) in the HIST1H1E gene. The protein made from the HISTH1E gene helps control which genetic information is turned on (expressed) at any given time. Only one copy of the HIST1H1E gene needs to have a disease-causing genetic change to have Rahman syndrome, which is consistent with an autosomal dominant condition. However, most of the reported cases of Rahman syndrome have not been inherited from the parents, but have been caused by a genetic change that happens by mistake during the making of the egg or sperm (de novo). Rahman syndrome may be suspected by symptoms, but the diagnosis is confirmed by genetic testing. Rahman syndrome is one of a group of disorders that have been associated with overgrowth and intellectual disability.