Pierre Robin syndrome

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Infant hard and soft palates

Pierre Robin syndrome (also called Pierre Robin complex or sequence) is a condition present at birth marked by a very small lower jaw (micrognathia). The tongue tends to fall back and downward (glossoptosis) and there is cleft soft palate.

Robin sequence

The specific causes of Pierre Robin syndrome are unknown. It may be part of many genetic syndromes. The lower jaw develops slowly over the first few months of life before birth, but speeds up during the first year after birth. The falling back of the tongue may cause choking episodes and feeding and breathing difficulties, especially when the child sleeps.

Review Date: 11/21/2005
Reviewed By: Christos Ballas, M.D., Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.