What is Pierre Robin Syndrome?

Often called Pierre Robin sequence, the disease is a chain of developmental malformations, each leading to the next. The condition is characterized by a smaller-than-normal lower jaw, a tongue that falls back in the throat and airway obstruction. In many cases, your child will also have cleft palate.

What causes Pierre Robin syndrome?

While the exact cause of the condition remains unknown, the sequence of anomalies experienced in the uterus begins with an underdeveloped jaw, which causes displacement of the tongue and subsequent formation of a U-shaped cleft palate.

How do you fix Pierre Robin syndrome?

An infant with Pierre Robin sequence usually needs to be bottle fed, with breast milk or formula, using special nipples. The child may need supplemental calories to fuel the extra effort it takes to breathe and swallow. Surgery is necessary to repair the cleft palate.

Does Pierre Robin syndrome affect the brain?

Abstract. Aim: It is unclear whether cognitive impairment in Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) results from a primary disturbance affecting both the brain and the mandible or from recurrent upper airway obstruction (UAO). If the latter were true, cognitive impairment should be preventable by early treatment of UAO.

Do you grow out of Pierre Robin syndrome?

Most children with Pierre Robin Sequence grow up normally, even if they start their lives with quite severe problems. All babies with Pierre Robin Sequence will have some difficulties, but these will vary from child to child. Some have no problems with breathing and only minor feeding difficulties.

What Is Pierre Robin Syndrome? (8 of 9)

Is Pierre Robin syndrome a disability?

Intellectual disability-brachydactyly-Pierre Robin syndrome is a rare developmental defect during embryogenesis syndrome characterized by mild to moderate intellectual disability and phsychomotor delay, Robin sequence (incl.

Does Pierre Robin syndrome affect speech?

Most babies with Pierre Robin sequence also have a cleft palate. The condition can show various symptoms that cause complications with breathing, feeding, hearing and speech.

Can Pierre Robin syndrome Be Cured?

Fortunately, Pierre Robin syndrome is usually treated successfully when detected early. Talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options. There are many resources available as well, including the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) and Birth Defect Research for Children.

Can Pierre Robin sequence be fixed?

Treatment of PRS is multifaceted and individualized, with surgery being performed only to solve the functional problems that a patient may have. Surgical treatments may be indicated for PRS patients with more severe clinical conditions, often those associated with airway impairment.

Why do so many children in 3rd world countries have cleft palate?

Most cleft palates seem to be caused by environmental factors that increase a mother's risk of giving birth to a child with a cleft palate.

What is the life expectancy of someone with Stickler syndrome?

What is the prognosis (outlook) for people with Stickler syndrome? Stickler syndrome has no cure, but it does not affect life expectancy.

What causes so many cleft palate?

Causes and Risk Factors

Cleft lip and cleft palate are thought to be caused by a combination of genes and other factors, such as things the mother comes in contact with in her environment, or what the mother eats or drinks, or certain medications she uses during pregnancy.

Why does my baby have a small chin?

Sometimes babies are born with a small lower jaw. It is called micrognathia, which means "small mandible." It can occur in isolation, but is also a symptom of a variety of craniofacial conditions. Micrognathia may interfere with a child's feeding and breathing.

Can you see Pierre Robin on ultrasound?

The main prenatal sonographic findings of Pierre-Robin sequence are micrognathia, polyhydramnios and cleft palate. In cases of polyhydramnios, sonographic examination of the facial profile and palate are recommended.

Can folic acid prevent cleft lip?

A new study finds that women who take folic acid supplements early in their pregnancy can substantially reduce their baby's chances of being born with a facial cleft.

What is the difference between sequence and syndrome?

In medicine, a sequence is a series of ordered consequences due to a single cause. It differs from a syndrome in that seriality is more predictable: if A causes B, and B causes C, and C causes D, then D would not be seen if C is not seen.

What triad of characteristics are found in the infant with Pierre Robin sequence?

Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is classically described as a triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction. Infants frequently present at birth with a hypoplastic mandible and difficulty breathing. The smaller mandible displaces the tongue posteriorly, resulting in obstruction of the airway.

How do I know if my baby's chin is recessed?

Detection of a recessed jaw can be a bit challenging. Infants naturally have a slightly recessed chin/jaw as part of normal development; however, those that present with a gap of 3 mm or more between the anterior upper and lower gum line often struggle at breast.

What is PRS in a baby?

Pierre Robin (Pee-air Roe-bahn) sequence, also called Pierre Robin syndrome, or PRS, is a condition where babies are born with a small lower jaw, have difficulties breathing (airway obstruction) and often (but not always) have a cleft of the palate (an opening in the roof of the mouth).

What micrognathia means?

Micrognathia is a condition in which the lower jaw is undersized. It is a symptom of a variety of craniofacial conditions. Sometimes called mandibular hypoplasia, micrognathia may interfere with your child's feeding and breathing.

How do you fix underdeveloped lower jaw?

To get rid of a receding chin, you'll likely need surgery. Both chin implants and sliding genioplasty, which involves cutting and reshaping your lower jaw bone, can help. Before opting for surgery, keep in mind that you'll need about six weeks to fully recover.

Do babies outgrow micrognathia?

Often there will not be enough room for the teeth to grow. Children with this problem should see an orthodontist when the adult teeth come in. Because children may outgrow the condition, it often makes sense to delay treatment until a child is older.

Can small jaw correct itself?

Sometimes an undersized jaw gets better by itself, so monitoring the child's progress can be a form of treatment. If micrognathia corrects itself, it usually occurs when the child is between 6 and 18 months old. Other treatments can be surgical or non-surgical.

Is cleft palate a disability?

FACT: A cleft is not a 'disability'. It may affect a child in ways that mean they need extra help, but most children with a cleft are not affected by any other condition and are capable of doing just as well at school as any other child.

What heart problems are associated with cleft palate?

Cardiac anomalies are one of the most common congenital disorders associated in cleft lip and palate patientsIt includes Cyanotic and acyanotic cardiac diseases likel fallot's tetralogy, transposition of greater vessels, atresia of tricuspid, total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR), truncus arteriosus, ...