PHF21A

Below is a summary for the PHF21A gene observed in research publications. This is not meant to take the place of medical advice.

Click here for our full PHF21A Gene Guide

The online Gene Guide includes more information about PHF21A such as the chance of having another child with this condition, behavior and development concerns linked to PHF21A-related syndrome or specialists to consider for people with this condition. Share this resource with family members or your clinical providers.

What is PHF21A-Related Syndrome?

PHF21A-related syndrome happens when there are changes to the PHF21A gene. These changes can keep the gene from working as it should.

Key Role

The PHF21A gene helps to control other genes and is important for the development of the brain.

Symptoms

Because the PHF21A gene is important in brain development, many people who have PHF21A-related syndrome have:

  • Autism
  • Intellectual disability
  • Seizures
  • Increased weight, height, head size

Some people are missing a large segment of DNA that includes the PHF21A gene. This is called Potocki-Shaffer syndrome or 11p11.2-related syndrome, because the missing segment is on part of chromosome 11. Other people have a small change within the PHF21A gene itself. People who have these different syndromes have symptoms that overlap.

How many people have PHF21A-related syndrome?

As of 2019, doctors had found fewer than 10 people in the world with changes in just the PHF21A gene. Potocki-Shaffer syndrome is more common, but also very rare. In Potocki-Shaffer syndrome, people are missing a large segment of DNA that includes PHF21A. The first case of PHF21A-related syndrome was described in 2012. Scientists expect to find more people who have the syndrome as access to genetic testing improves.

Learn more about the PHF21A gene and connect with other Simons Searchlight families with the resources below:

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Support Resources

 

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GeneReviews

GeneReviews are a great resource to bring to your child’s clinicians. These publications provide a summary of current research on genetic conditions and information on ongoing care.

PHF21A is sometimes affected in a chromosome 11 deletion. The GeneReviews for Enlarged Parietal Foramina describes this genetic change.

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Research Article Summaries

We currently do not have any article summaries for PHF21A, but we add resources to our website as they become available.

The information available about PHF21A is limited, and families and doctors share a critical need for more information. As we learn more from children who have this gene change, we expect our list of resources and information to grow.

Full versions of published research articles can be found on PubMed. PubMed is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) online database that is free. It has a collection of both medical and scientific research articles. A PubMed search for PHF21A articles can be found here.

You can also visit the Simons Foundation’s SFARI Gene website to see information for researchers about this gene.

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Research Opportunities

Simons Searchlight

Help the Simons Searchlight team learn more about PHF21A genetic changes by taking part in our research. You can learn more about the project and sign up here.

External Research Opportunity: FaceMatch

FaceMatch is a platform that helps parents and doctors contribute to an international secure image database of both undiagnosed and diagnosed children across the globe. *This study is not affiliated with Simons Searchlight. Learn more about FaceMatch.

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Family Stories

We do not currently have any stories from PHF21A  families.

Click here to share your family’s story!