Onset is usually confined to infancy and early childhood, with peak prevalence at 18–36 months. In rare cases, particularly where the child is severely mentally impaired, onset may extend to adolescence.

The classical symptoms of the syndrome are spasmodic torticollis and dystonia. Nodding and rotation of the head, neck extension, gurgling, writhing movements of the limbs, and severe hypotonia have also been noted.

Spasms may last for 1–3 minutes and may occur up to 10 times a day. Ingestion of food is often associated with occurrence of symptoms; this may result in reluctance to feed. Associated symptoms, such as epigastric discomfort, vomiting (which may involve blood) and abnormal eye movements have been reported. Clinical signs may also include anaemia.

Sandifer syndrome (or Sandifer's syndrome) is an eponymous paediatric medical disorder, characterised by gastrointestinal symptoms and associated neurological features. There is a significant correlation between the syndrome and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD); however, it is estimated to occur in less than 1% of children with reflux.

Symptoms for Alström syndrome generally appear during infancy with great variability in age. Some of the symptoms include:

- Heart failure (Dilated cardiomyopathy) in over 60% of cases, usually within the first few weeks after birth, but sometimes the onset is in adolescence or adulthood.

- Light sensitivity and vision problems (Cone-rod dystrophy) in all cases, usually within 15 months of birth and progressively worsening until about 20 years of age

- Delays in early, developmental milestones in 50% of cases, learning disabilities in about 30% of cases

- Obesity in 100% of cases, apparent by 5 years of age, but often apparent in infancy (Alström infants usually have normal birth weights, and by adolescence, weights tend to be in the high-normal to normal range)

- Nystagmus (usually affects the children) one of the first symptoms to occur which causes involuntary rapid eye movement.

- Heart failure (Dilated cardiomyopathy) in over 60% of cases, usually within the first few weeks after birth, but sometimes the onset is in adolescence or adulthood.(chronic)

- Mild to moderate bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

- Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in early childhood.

- Hyperinsulinemia/ insulin resistance—development of high level of insulin in blood.

- Steatosis (fatty liver) and elevated transaminases (liver enzymes) often develop in childhood and can progress in some patients to cirrhosis and liver failure.

- Endocrine dysfunctions may occur where the patient may experience an under or over active thyroid gland, weak growth hormone, increased androgen in females, and low testosterone in males.

- Slowly progressive kidney failure can occur in the second to fourth decade of life.

Males

In males the symptoms of Danon Disease are more severe. Features of Danon Disease in males are:

- An early age of onset of muscle weakness and heart disease (onset in childhood or adolescence)

- Some learning problems or intellectual disability can be present

- Muscle weakness can be severe and can affect endurance and the ability to walk

- Heart disease (cardiomyopathy) can be severe and can lead to a need for medications. It usually progress to heart failure, commonly complicated by atrial fibrillation and embolic strokes with severe neurological disability, leading to death unless heart transplant is performed.

- Cardiac conduction abnormalities can occur. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a common conduction pattern in Danon disease.

- Symptoms are usually gradually progressive

- Some individuals may have visual disturbances, and/or retinal pigment abnormalities

- Danon Disease is rare and unfamiliar to most physicians. It can be mistaken for other forms of heart disease and/or muscular dystrophies, including Pompe disease.

Females

In females the symptoms of Danon Disease are less severe. Common symptoms of Danon Disease in females are:

- A later age of onset of symptoms. Many females will not have obvious symptoms until late adolescence or even adulthood.

- Learning problems and intellectual disability are usually ABSENT

- Muscle weakness is often absent or subtle. Some females will tire easily with exercise

- Cardiomyopathy) is often absent in childhood. Some women will develop this in adulthood. Cardiomyopathy can be associated with atrial fibrillation and embolic strokes.

- Cardiac conduction abnormalities can occur. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a common conduction pattern in Danon disease.

- Symptoms in females progress more slowly than in males.

- Some females may have visual disturbances, and/or retinal pigment abnormalities

- Danon Disease is rare and unfamiliar to most physicians. The milder and more subtle symptoms in females can make it more difficult to diagnose females with Danon Disease

Characteristics include varying degrees of developmental disability, epilepsy, hypotonia, and both hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation. Patients also exhibit a distinctive facial structure, characterized by high foreheads, sparse hair on the temple, a wide space between the eyes, epicanthal folds, and a flat nose. Vision and hearing impairments may occur. Patients may also exhibit congenital heart defects, gastroesophageal reflux, cataracts, and supernumerary nipples. Diaphragm problems seen in newborns can lead to death shortly after birth.

- As patients pass into adolescence, the syndrome is characterized by a coarse and flat face, macroglossia, prognathism, inverted lower lip, and psychomotor retardation with muscular hypertonia and contractures.

Alström syndrome, also called Alstrom-Halgren syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene ALMS1. It is among the rarest genetic disorders in the world, as currently it has only 266 reported cases in medical literature and over 501 known cases in 47 countries. It was first described by Carl-Henry Alström in Sweden in 1959. Alstrom syndrome is sometimes confused with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, which has similar symptoms. Bardet-Biedl syndrome tends to have later onset in its symptoms. The likelihood of two carrier parents both passing the gene and therefore having a child affected by the syndrome is 25% with each pregnancy. The likelihood of having a child who is only a carrier of the gene is 50% with each pregnancy. The likelihood of a child receiving normal genes from both parents and being considered to be "genetically" normal is 25%. The risk for carrying the gene is equivalent for both males and females.

"Alström syndrome (AS) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by multiorgan dysfunction. The key features are childhood obesity, blindness due to congenital retinal dystrophy, and sensorineural hearing loss. Associated endocrinologic features include hyperinsulinemia, early-onset type 2 diabetes, and hypertriglyceridemia."

Thus, AS shares several features with the common metabolic syndrome, namely obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. Mutations in the ALMS1 gene have been found to be causative for AS with a total of 79 disease-causing mutations having been described." Prevalence estimates have ranged from 1 in 10,000 to fewer than 1 in 1,000,000 individuals in the general population.

Overactive disorder associated with mental retardation and stereotyped movements is a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) listed in Chapter V(F) of the tenth revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10); its diagnostic code is F84.4.

This is an ill-defined disorder of uncertain nosological validity. The category is included here because of the evidence that children with moderate to severe intellectual disability (IQ below 35) who exhibit major problems in hyperactivity and inattention frequently show stereotyped behaviours; such children tend not to benefit from stimulant drugs (unlike those with an IQ in the normal range) and may exhibit a severe dysphoric reaction (sometimes with psychomotor retardation) when given stimulants; in adolescence the overactivity tends to be replaced by underactivity (a pattern that is not usual in hyperkinetic children with normal intelligence). It is also common for the syndrome to be associated with a variety of developmental delays, either specific or global. The extent to which the behavioural pattern is a function of low IQ or of organic brain damage is not known, neither is it clear whether the disorders in children with mild intellectual disability who show the hyperkinetic syndrome would be better classified here or under F90.- (Hyperkinetic disorders); at present they are included in F90-.

Diagnostic guidelines

Diagnosis depends on the combination of developmentally inappropriate severe overactivity, motor stereotypies, and moderate to severe intellectual disability; all three must be present for the diagnosis. If the diagnostic criteria for F84.0 (childhood autism), F84.1 (atypical autism) or F84.2 (Rett's syndrome) are met, that condition should be diagnosed instead.

Movements of the eyes left to right.

Little or no movement in the arms or legs.

Respiratory troubles/problems.

The diagnosis of PMD is often first suggested after identification by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of abnormal white matter (high T2 signal intensity, i.e. T2 lengthening) throughout the brain, which is typically evident by about 1 year of age, but more subtle abnormalities should be evident during infancy. Unless there is a family history consistent with sex-linked inheritance, the condition is often misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy. Once a "PLP1" or "GJA12" mutation is identified, prenatal diagnosis or preimplantation genetic diagnostic testing is possible.

It is associated with LAMP2. The status of this condition as a GSD has been disputed.

The types of CMS are classified into three categories: presynaptic, postsynaptic, and synaptic.

- "Presynaptic" symptoms include brief stops in breathing, weakness of the eye, mouth, and throat muscles. These symptoms often result in double vision and difficulty chewing and swallowing.

- "Postsynaptic" symptoms in infants include severe muscle weakness, feeding and respiratory problems, and delays in the ability to sit, crawl, and walk.

- "Synaptic" symptoms include early childhood feeding and respiratory problems, reduced mobility, curvature of the spine, and weakness, which causes a delay in motor milestones.

Onset symptoms for all ages may include droopy eyelids. A particular form of postsynaptic CMS (slow-channel CMS) includes severe weakness beginning in infancy or childhood that progresses and leads to loss of mobility and respiratory problems in adolescence or later life.

Pallister–Killian syndrome (also tetrasomy 12p mosaicism or Pallister mosaic aneuploidy syndrome) is an extremely rare genetic disorder occurring in humans. Pallister-Killian occurs due to the presence of the anomalous extra isochromosome 12p, the short arm of the twelfth chromosome. This leads to the development of tetrasomy 12p. Because not all cells have the extra isochromosome, Pallister-Killian is a mosaic condition (more readily detected in skin fibroblasts).

It was first described by Philip Pallister in 1977 and further researched by Maria Teschler-Nicola and Wolfgang Killian in 1981.

Of the following common symptoms of Turner syndrome, an individual may have any combination of symptoms and is unlikely to have all symptoms.

- Short stature

- Lymphedema (swelling) of the hands and feet of a newborn

- Broad chest (shield chest) and widely spaced nipples

- Low posterior hairline

- Low-set ears

- Reproductive sterility

- Rudimentary ovaries gonadal streak (underdeveloped gonadal structures that later become fibrotic)

- Amenorrhoea, the absence of a menstrual period

- Increased weight, obesity

- Shortened metacarpal IV

- Small fingernails

- Characteristic facial features

- Webbed neck from cystic hygroma in infancy

- Aortic valve stenosis

- Coarctation of the aorta

- Bicuspid aortic valve (most common cardiac problem)

- Horseshoe kidney

- Visual impairments – sclera, cornea, glaucoma, etc.

- Ear infections and hearing loss

- High waist-to-hip ratio (the hips are not much bigger than the waist)

- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (problems with concentration, memory, attention with hyperactivity seen mostly in childhood and adolescence)

- Nonverbal learning disability (problems with maths, social skills, and spatial relations)

Other features may include a small lower jaw (micrognathia), cubitus valgus, soft upturned nails, palmar crease, and drooping eyelids. Less common are pigmented moles, hearing loss, and a high-arch palate (narrow maxilla). Turner syndrome manifests itself differently in each female affected by the condition; therefore, no two individuals share the same features.

While most of the physical findings are harmless, significant medical problems can be associated with the syndrome. Most of these significant conditions are treatable with surgery and medication.

Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome may recur intermittently after its first appearance. It can become a chronic disorder. Follow-up care should exclude the development of Crohn's disease or sarcoidosis.

As babies and children, XXY males may have weaker muscles and reduced strength. As they grow older, they tend to become taller than average. They may have less muscle control and coordination than other boys of their age.

During puberty, the physical traits of the syndrome become more evident; because these boys do not produce as much testosterone as other boys, they have a less muscular body, less facial and body hair, and broader hips. As teens, XXY males may develop breast tissue and also have weaker bones, and a lower energy level than other males.

By adulthood, XXY males look similar to males without the condition, although they are often taller. In adults, possible characteristics vary widely and include little to no sign of affectedness, a , youthful build and facial appearance, or a rounded body type with some degree of gynecomastia (increased breast tissue). Gynecomastia is present to some extent in about a third of affected individuals, a slightly higher percentage than in the XY population. About 10% of XXY males have gynecomastia noticeable enough that they may choose to have cosmetic surgery.

Affected males are often infertile, or may have reduced fertility. Advanced reproductive assistance is sometimes possible.

The term "hypogonadism" in XXY symptoms is often misinterpreted to mean "small testicles" when it means decreased testicular hormone/endocrine function. Because of this (primary) hypogonadism, individuals will often have a low serum testosterone level but high serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. Despite this misunderstanding of the term, however, it is true that XXY men may also have microorchidism (i.e., small testicles).

The testicle size of affected males are usually less than 2 cm in length (and always shorter than 3.5 cm), 1 cm in width and 4 ml in volume.

XXY males are also more likely than other men to have certain health problems that typically affect females, such as autoimmune disorders, breast cancer, venous thromboembolic disease, and osteoporosis. In contrast to these potentially increased risks, it is currently thought that rare X-linked recessive conditions occur less frequently in XXY males than in normal XY males, since these conditions are transmitted by genes on the X chromosome, and people with two X chromosomes are typically only carriers rather than affected by these X-linked recessive conditions.

While it is possible to characterise XXY males based on physical characteristics, substantial variation in physical and developmental traits mean the only reliable method of positive or negative identification is karyotype testing.

Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder caused by defects of several types at the neuromuscular junction. The effects of the disease are similar to Lambert-Eaton Syndrome and myasthenia gravis, the difference being that CMS is not an autoimmune disorder.

Turner syndrome does not typically cause intellectual disability or impair cognition. However, learning difficulties are common among women with Turner syndrome, particularly a specific difficulty in perceiving spatial relationships, such as nonverbal learning disorder. This may also manifest itself as a difficulty with motor control or with mathematics. While it is not correctable, in most cases it does not cause difficulty in daily living. Most Turner syndrome patients are employed as adults and lead productive lives.

Also, a rare variety of Turner syndrome, known as "Ring-X Turner syndrome", has about a 60% association with intellectual disability. This variety accounts for around 2–4% of all Turner syndrome cases.

Disinhibited attachment disorder of childhood (DAD) according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), is defined as:

Disinhibited attachment disorder is a subtype of the ICD-10 category F94, "Disorders of social functioning with onset specific to childhood and adolescence". The other subtype of F94 is reactive attachment disorder of childhood (RAD – F94 .1).

Synonymous or similar disorders include Affectionless psychopathy and Institutional syndrome.

Within the ICD-10 category scheme, disinhibited attachment disorder specifically excludes Asperger syndrome (F84.5), hospitalism in children (F43.2), and hyperkinetic disorders (F90.-).

Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome (also termed "Miescher-Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome"), is a rare neurological disorder characterized by recurring facial paralysis, swelling of the face and lips (usually the upper lip - cheilitis granulomatosis) and the development of folds and furrows in the tongue (fissured tongue). Onset is in childhood or early adolescence. After recurrent attacks (ranging from days to years in between), swelling may persist and increase, eventually becoming permanent. The lip may become hard, cracked, and fissured with a reddish-brown discoloration. The cause of Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome is unknown, but there may be a genetic predisposition. It has been noted to be especially prevalent among certain ethnic groups in Bolivia. It can be symptomatic of Crohn's disease or sarcoidosis. Approximately 400 cases have been reported worldwide.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (US English) or cyclical vomiting syndrome (UK English) (CVS) is a chronic functional condition of unknown cause characterised by recurring attacks of intense nausea, vomiting, and sometimes abdominal pain, headaches, or migraines. CVS typically develops during childhood, usually between ages 3 and 7; although it often remits during adolescence, it can persist into adult life.

Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) is a group of epileptic disorders that are believed to have a strong underlying genetic basis. Patients with an IGE subtype are typically otherwise normal and have no structural brain abnormalities. People also often have a family history of epilepsy and seem to have a genetically predisposed risk of seizures. IGE tends to manifest itself between early childhood and adolescence although it can be eventually diagnosed later. The genetic cause of some IGE types is known, though inheritance does not always follow a simple monogenic mechanism.

ADULT syndrome features include ectrodactyly, syndactyly, excessive freckling, lacrimal duct anomalies, dysplastic nails, hypodontia, hypoplastic breasts and nipples, hypotrichosis, hypohidrosis, broad nasal bridge, midfacial hypoplasia, exfoliative dermatitis, and xerosis. The lack of facial clefting and ankyloblepharon are important because they exist in ectrodactyly–ectodermal dysplasia–cleft syndrome (EEC) but not in ADULT syndrome.

This form of epilepsy is very rare, representing less than 1% of cases, and is twice as prevalent in boys compared to girls. Age of seizure onset is between 5 months and 5 years of age. Children with this disorder often present with head drops and brief arm jerks. Although there is believed to be a genetic basis for this disorder, no genetic linkage has been shown.