About Fanconi Anemia

Sean, Alex & Jacqueline

FA is sometimes evident at birth, but because it is a rare condition, it may not be detected until later in childhood. The following symptoms are common among FA patients:

  • Hand and arm anomalies: misshapen, missing or extra thumbs and/or incompletely developed or missing arm bones
  • Skeletal anomalies of the hips, spine, or ribs
  • Kidney problems, including missing or horseshoe kidney
  • Skin discolorations
  • Small head or eyes
  • Mental retardation or learning disabilities
  • Low birth weight
  • Gastrointestinal difficulties
  • Small reproductive organs in males (most FA individuals are infertile)
  • Defects in tissues separating chambers of the heart