The acronym stands for coloboma, heart defects, atresia of the coina, retardation of growth and development, genital and or urinary anomalies, and ear malformations. It's caused by a CHD7 mutation on chromosome 8, but there's a good population of these kids who will have a negative test for CHD7. And can still have CHARTE syndrome based on clinical criteria. And to make the diagnosis, you have to have at least two of what are considered the major criteria. It's the C's coloboma, quanal atresia, or cleft palate, characteristic ear abnormalities, and cranial nerve abnormalities. If you have that, you have CHARGE syndrome independent of the clinical features. To make a definitive clinical diagnosis, you either have 3 major features and at least 1 minor feature. Or 2 major features and 2 minor features, or you can have that CHD7 mutation. Download the Stay Current pediatric surgery app to hear the entire episode.