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Moebius Syndrome
 Moebius Syndrome is a very rare disorder characterized by lifetime facial paralysis.
 People with Moebius Syndrome can not smile or frown
 . In many cases, they can not blink and have no lateral eye movement.
 The syndrome can also be associated with physical problems in other parts of the body.
The sixth and seventh cranial nerves are not fully developed, resulting in eye muscle and facial paralysis.
 Many of the other 12 cranial nerves may also be affected, including the 3rd, 5th, 8th, 9th, 11th and 12th
Movements of the face such as blinking, lateral eye movements, and facial expressions are controlled by these nerves.
Many of the other may also be affected.
1st = Olfactory nerve - relays smell
2nd = Optic nerve - transmits visual information
3rd = Oculomotor nerve - supplies external muscles of the eyeball with motor and sensory fibers
4th = Trochlear nerve - also supplies external muscles of the eyeball with motor and sensory fibers
5th = Trigeminal nerve - supplies muscles concerned with chewing and relays sensations from the face
6th = Abducent nerve - concerned with lateral eye movement and blinking
7th = Facial nerve - controls the muscles of facial expression, serves the taste buds on the front two-thirds of the tongue, and sensation to the skin of the fingers and toes
8th = Auditory nerve - concerned with hearing and balance
9th = Glossopharyngeal nerve - carries sensation and taste from the back of the tongue and throat; helps control swallowing
10th = Vagus nerve - carries both sensory and motor connections to many organs in the chest and abdomen
11th = Accessory nerve - supplies two neck muscles, the sternomastoid and the trapezius
12th = Hypoglossal nerve - supplies the muscles of the tongue and some of the small muscles of the neck
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SYMPTOMS
The most apparent symptoms are related to facial expressions and function.
In newborn infants, the first sign is an impaired ability to suck.
Excessive drooling and crossed eyes may be present. In addition, there can be deformities of the tongue and jaw, and even of some limbs, including club foot and missing or webbed fingers
. Most children have low muscle tone, particularly of the upper body.
Symptoms May Include:
 Lack of facial expression; inability to smile
 Feeding, swallowing and choking problems (sometimes tubes are necessary to thrive; be very careful with solid foods)
 Keeping head back to swallow
 Eye sensitivity due to inability to squint (sunglasses and hats are very helpful)
 Motor delays due to upper body weakness
 Absence of lateral eye movement
 Absence of blinking
 Strabismus (crossed eyes, correctable with surgery)
 Drooling
 High palate
 Short or deformed tongue
 Limited movement of tongue
 Submucous cleft palate
 Teeth problems
 Hearing problems (due to fluid in ears, tubes are sometimes necessary)
 Speech difficulties (especially with closed mouth sounds and sounds involving the lips)
 Minor mid-line anomalies
 Although they crawl and walk later, most Moebius Syndrome children eventually catch up. Speech problems often respond to therapy, but may persist due to impaired mobility of the tongue and lips. As children get older, the lack of facial expression and an inability to smile become the dominant visible symptoms.
Moebius Syndrome is sometimes accompanied by Pierre Robin Syndrome and Poland's Anomaly.
CAUSE
Children are born with it. Although it appears to be genetic, its precise cause remains unknown and the medical literature presents conflicting theories. It affects boys and girls equally, and there appears to be, in some cases, an increased risk of transmitting the disorder from an affected parent to a child. Although no prenatal test for Moebius Syndrome is currently available, individuals may benefit from genetic counseling.
TREATMENT
Infants sometimes require special bottles (ie ) or feeding tubes to maintain sufficient nutrition. Strabismus (crossed eyes) is usually correctable with surgery.
Children with Moebius Syndrome can also benefit from physical and speech therapy to improve their gross motor skills and coordination, and to gain better control over speaking and eating.
Limb and jaw deformities may often be improved through surgery.
In addition, In some cases, nerve and muscle transfers to the corners of the mouth have been performed to provide an ability to smile.
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