Traits

Traits linked to GDF11

growth differentiation factor 11

The Human Phenotype Ontology links 20 traits to GDF11, by body system: features seen in people with one of the gene's rare conditions.

Abnormality of head or neck

Trait	How often it is seen
One sided cleft palate	Often (30–79%)
One sided cleft upper lip	Often (30–79%)
Eye folds	Sometimes (5–29%)
Little lower jaw	Sometimes (5–29%)
Midface retrusion	Sometimes (5–29%)
Nasal tip, upturned	Sometimes (5–29%)
Prominent back of the head	Sometimes (5–29%)
Submucous cleft hard palate	Sometimes (5–29%)
Widow's peak	Sometimes (5–29%)

Abnormality of the musculoskeletal system

Trait	How often it is seen
Extra ribs	Very often (80–99%)
Six lumbar vertebrae	Often (30–79%)
Double-Jointed	Sometimes (5–29%)
Funnel chest	Sometimes (5–29%)

Abnormality of limbs

Trait	How often it is seen
Dropped arches	Sometimes (5–29%)
Winged shoulder blade	Sometimes (5–29%)

Abnormality of the ear

Trait	How often it is seen
Thickened helices	Often (30–79%)
Darwin tubercle of helix	Sometimes (5–29%)

Abnormality of the breast

Trait	How often it is seen
Accessory nipple	Sometimes (5–29%)

Abnormality of the digestive system

Trait	How often it is seen
Inguinal hernia	Often (30–79%)

Abnormality of the eye

Trait	How often it is seen
Blue outer white part of eyeball	Sometimes (5–29%)

How often is among people with one of the gene's conditions, the most often across them, as the Human Phenotype Ontology records it. These pages describe traits and the research behind them; they are not a diagnosis, and a doctor or genetic counsellor is the person to ask about symptoms.

Where this comes from

The Human Phenotype Ontology, release 2026-09-01: the traits linked to GDF11 and how often each is seen. Find out more at hpo.jax.org.

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