Fact Check: Does Milly Shapiro Have the Same Rare Disease as Gaten Matarazzo?

Find out the full story about Fact Check: Does Milly Shapiro Have the Same Rare Disease as Gaten Matarazzo.

The true cause of their physical resemblance lies in cellular genetics. Cleidocranial dysplasia is an autosomal dominant condition typically linked to mutations in the RUNX2 gene. This specific gene is crucial for providing instructions to produce a protein responsible for the development and maintenance of bones, cartilage, and teeth.

When RUNX2 functions irregularly during embryonic growth, it interrupts typical skeletal ossification. In clinical terms, CCD primarily targets the skull and shoulder girdle. Patients frequently present with delayed closure of the cranial sutures (the soft spots between skull bones), resulting in a wider, more prominent forehead and a broader bridge across the nose. The midface area often experiences underdevelopment, technically referred to as midface hypoplasia. This anatomical variation pushes the lower jaw forward while creating a slightly flatter profile around the cheeks and upper lip.

The disorder also alters clavicle development. Many individuals with CCD have partially formed collarbones or lack them entirely, giving their shoulders an unusually wide range of motion. Because bone and tooth development are biologically intertwined, the condition also brings substantial dental complexities.