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Micrognathia

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Anonymous

14y ago
Updated: 11/10/2020
Definition

Micrognathia is a term that describes an abnormally small lower jaw.

Considerations

In true micrognathia, the jaw is small enough to interfere with the infant's feeding. Infants with micrognathia may need special nipples in order to feed properly.

Micrognathia may be the only abnormality in a child. It often corrects itself during growth, especially at puberty when the jaw grows quite a bit. It also can be caused by certain inherited disorders and syndromes.

Micrognathia is one cause of abnormal alignment of the teeth. You can see this in the way the teeth close. Often there will not be enough room for the teeth to grow. Talk to an orthodontist when the child's adult teeth come in. At times, children can outgrow micrognathia, and it makes sense to wait to treat the condition until they are older.

Common CausesHome Care

If micrognathia interferes with feeding, you'll need to use special feeding techniques and equipment. You can learn these techniques through special programs that are available at most hospitals.

Call your health care provider if

Contact your health care provider if:

  • Your child seems to have a very small jaw
  • Your child has trouble feeding properly
What to expect at your health care provider's office

The doctor will do a physical examination and may ask questions about the history of the problem, such as:

  • When did you first notice that the jaw was small?
  • How severe is it?
  • Does the child have trouble eating?
  • What other symptoms are present?

The physical examination will include a thorough check of the mouth.

The following tests may be performed:

If there are other symptoms that indicate an inherited condition, testing for that condition may be advised. The health care provider might recommend surgery or orthodontic devices.

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14y ago

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What is the medical term meaning abnormally small jaw?

Micrognathia


What are common concerns once an infant is diagnosed with micrognathia?

Micrognathia is a disorder of the jaw size; the most common concern is that they will have trouble feeding. A doctor may wish to run tests for other genetic disorders, else reccomend a specialized diet.


Can Treacher Collins syndrome be detected prenatally?

The symptoms of this disease can be conductive hearing loss, small lower jaw or micrognathia and downward slanting eyes. There are few visible signs of the disease such as prominent nose as well as sunken appearance in the middle part of the face, which is caused mainly by underdeveloped facial bones. Patients also experience malocclusion of the teeth and cleft palate. Displacement of the tongue also happens due to micrognathia. Because of this, their oropharynx gets blocked, the result of which are severe respiratory problems.


What disease does chicken boy have?

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What are some symptoms for Treachers Collins syndrome?

Streacher Collins syndrome is a condition that affects the development of bones and other tissues of the face. The signs and symptoms of this disorder vary greatly, ranging from almost unnoticeable to severe. Most affected individuals have underdeveloped facial bones, particularly the cheek bones, and a very small jaw and chin (micrognathia). Some people with this condition are also born with an opening in the roof of the mouth called a cleft palate. Some affected individuals have additional eye abnormalities that can lead to vision loss. This condition is also characterized by absent, small, or unusually formed ears. Hearing loss occurs in about half of all affected individuals; hearing loss is caused by defects of the three small bones in the middle ear, which transmit sound, or by underdevelopment of the ear canal. People with Treacher Collins syndrome usually have normal intelligence. ~National Science Library


How does cri du chat affect its victims?

Life with Cri-Du-Chat can be enjoyable if you do all the right things. People who suffer from Cri-Du-Chat have extreme learning disabilities and can't normally socialize. It is diifficult to eat because of swallowing problems and have large respiratory problems. It is difficult to move because of por musscle tone and therefore a child cant play any sports or go to a playground. This disease is very similar to Cerebral Palsy.


Why is the Rubella virus so dangerous for an unborn baby?

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Treacher-Collins syndrome?

DefinitionTreacher-Collins syndrome is a condition that is passed down through families (hereditary) and leads to defects of the face.Alternative NamesMandibulofacial dysostosisCauses, incidence, and risk factorsTreacher-Collins syndrome is caused by a defective protein called treacle. The condition is passed down through families (inherited). More than half of all cases are thought to be due to new gene changes (mutations) because there is no family history of the disease.This condition may vary in severity from generation to generation and from person to person.SymptomsOuter part of the ears are abnormal or almost completely missingHearing lossVery small jaw (micrognathia)Very large mouthDefect in the lower eyelid (coloboma)Scalp hair that reaches to the cheeksCleft palateSigns and testsThe child usually will show normal intelligence. Examination of the infant may reveal a variety of problems, including:Abnormal eye shapeFlat cheekbonesClefts in the faceSmall jawLow-set earsAbnormally formed earsAbnormal ear canalHearing lossDefects in the eye (coloboma that extends into the lower lid)Decreased eyelashes on the lower eyelidGenetic tests can be done to look for mutations in the TCS1 gene.TreatmentTreatment involves testing for and treating any hearing loss so that a child can perform at a normal level in school. Plastic surgery can treat the receding chin and other defects.Support GroupsTreacher Collins Foundation -- www.treachercollinsfnd.orgExpectations (prognosis)Children with this syndrome typically grow to become normally functioning adults of normal intelligence. Careful attention to any hearing problems helps ensure better performance in school.ComplicationsFeeding difficultySpeaking difficultyCommunication problemsVision problemsCalling your health care providerThis condition is usually apparent at birth. Call your health care provider if you have a child with symptoms of Treacher-Collins syndrome, including hearing loss or other problems.A good plastic surgeon is very important, because children with this condition sometimes need a series of operations to correct birth defects. Genetic counseling can also help families understand the condition, the risk of inheriting it, and how to care for the patient.PreventionInherited conditions usually cannot be prevented. However, genetic counseling is appropriate for prospective parents with a family history of Treacher-Collins syndrome.


Progeria?

DefinitionProgeria is a disease that produces rapid aging, beginning in childhood.Alternative NamesHutchinson-Gilford syndromeCauses, incidence, and risk factorsProgeria is a rare condition that is remarkable because its symptoms strongly resemble normal human aging, but occur in young children.Ninety percent of children with progeria have a mutation on the gene that encodes the protein lamin A. Progeria usually occurs without cause. It is only very rarely seen in more than one child in a family.SymptomsGrowth failure during the first year of lifeNarrow, shrunken or wrinkled faceBaldnessLoss of eyebrows and eyelashesShort statureLarge head for size of face (macrocephaly)Open soft spot (fontanelle)Small jaw (micrognathia)Dry, scaly, thin skinLimited range of motionTeeth - delayed or absent formationSigns and testsThe signs include:Insulin-resistant diabetes (diabetes that does not respond readily to insulin injections)Skin changes similar to that seen in scleroderma (the connective tissue becomes tough and hardened)Cardiac stress testing may reveal signs of early atherosclerosis of blood vessels.Genetic testing can detect mutations in lamin A that cause progeria.TreatmentThere is presently no treatment for progeria.Support GroupsProgeria Research Foundation, Inc. -- www.progeriaresearch.orgExpectations (prognosis)Progeria is associated with a short lifespan. The average patient survives to the early teens. However, some patients can live up to 30 years. The cause of death is usually related to the heart or a strokeas a result of the progressive atherosclerosis.ComplicationsHeart attack (myocardial infarction)StrokeCalling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you child does not appear to be growing or developing normally.PreventionThere is no known prevention.ReferencesBrown WT. Progeria. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th Ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 90.


Trisomy 18?

DefinitionTrisomy 18 is a genetic disorder in which a person has a third copy of genetic material from chromosome 18, instead of the usual two copies.Alternative NamesEdwards syndromeCauses, incidence, and risk factorsTrisomy 18 is a relatively common syndrome. It is three times more common in girls than boys. The syndrome is caused by the presence of extra material from chromosome 18. The extra material interferes with normal development.SymptomsClenched handsCrossed legs (preferred position)Feet with a rounded bottom (rocker-bottom feet)Low birth weightLow-set earsMental deficiencySmall head (microcephaly)Small jaw (micrognathia)Underdeveloped fingernailsUndescended testicleUnusual shaped chest (pectus carinatum)Signs and testsExamination of the pregnant woman may show an unusually large uterus and extra amniotic fluid. An unusually small placenta may be seen when the baby is born.Physical examination of the infant may show unusual fingerprint patterns. X-rays may show a short breast bone. Chromosome studies show trisomy 18, partial trisomy, or translocation.Other signs include:Hole, split, or cleft in the iris (coloboma)Separation between the left and right side of the rectus abdominis muscle (diastasis recti)Umbilical hernia or inguinal herniaThere are often signs of congenital heart disease, such as:Atrial septal defect (ASD)Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)Ventricular septal defect (VSD)Tests may also show kidney problems, including:Horseshoe kidneyHydronephrosisPolycystic kidneyTreatmentTreatment of children with Trisomy 18 is planned on a case-by-case basis. Which treatments are used depends on the patient's individual condition.Support GroupsSupport Organization for Trisomy 18, 13 and Related Disorders (SOFT) - www.trisomy.orgTrisomy 18 Foundation - www.trisomy18.orgExpectations (prognosis)Fifty percent of infants with this condition do not survive beyond the first week of life. Some children have survived to the teenage years, but with serious medical and developmental problems.ComplicationsComplications depend on the specific defects and symptoms.Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider and genetic counselor if you have had a child with Trisomy 18 and you plan to have another child. Genetic counseling can help families understand the condition, the risks of inheriting it, and how to care for the patient.PreventionPrenatal diagnosis of trisomy 18 is possible with an amniocentesis or chorionic villus samplingand chromosome studies on amniotic cells. Parents who have a child with translocational Trisomy 18 and want additional children should have chromosome studies, because they are at increased risk of having another child with Trisomy 18.


Cri du chat syndrome?

DefinitionCri du chat syndrome is a group of symptoms that result from missing a piece of chromosome number 5. The syndrome's name is based on the infant's cry, which is high-pitched and sounds like a cat.Alternative NamesChromosome 5p deletion syndrome; 5p minus syndrome; Cat cry syndromeCauses, incidence, and risk factorsCri du chat syndrome is rare. It happens when genetic information on chromosome 5 is missing. One missing piece, called TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) is involved in control of cell growth, and may play a role in how some of the features of this syndrome develop.Most cases are believed to occur during the development of the egg or sperm. A minority of cases result from one parent carrying a rearrangement of chromosome 5 called a translocation and passing this on to the baby.This syndrome may account for up to 1% of individuals with severe mental retardation.SymptomsCry that is high-pitched and sounds like a catDownward slant to the eyesLow birth weight and slow growthLow-set or abnormally shaped earsMental retardationPartial webbing or fusing of fingers or toesSingle line in the palm of the hand (simian crease)Skin tags just in front of the earSlow or incomplete development of motor skillsSmall head (microcephaly)Small jaw (micrognathia)Wide-set eyesSigns and testsIn addition to symptoms, the physical examination may show:Inguinal herniaDiastasis recti(separated abdominal muscles)Low muscle toneEpicanthal folds, an extra fold of skin over the inner corner of the eyeIncompletely or abnormally folded external earsGenetic tests can show a missing part of chromosome 5. Skull x-ray may reveal an abnormal angle to the base of the skull.TreatmentNo specific treatment is available for this syndrome. The mental retardation must be addressed, and counseling is recommended for the parents.Parents of a child with this syndrome should have genetic counseling and a karyotype test to determine if one parent has a rearrangement of chromosome 5.Support Groups5p- Society -- www.fivepminus.orgExpectations (prognosis)What can be expected varies, but mental retardation is usual. Half of children with Cri du chat syndrome learn sufficient verbal skills to communicate. The cat-like cry becomes less apparent over time.ComplicationsComplications depend on the extent of mental retardation and physical abnormalities. Complications may include:Inability to care for selfInability to function in societyCalling your health care providerThis is a diagnosis that is generally made in the hospital at birth. Your health care provider will discuss your baby's signs and symptoms with you. When you leave the hospital, it's important to maintain regular contact with your health care provider and other caregivers. Genetic counseling and testing is recommended for all persons with a family history of this syndrome.PreventionThere is no known prevention. Couples with a family history of this syndrome who wish to become pregnant may consider genetic counseling.ReferencesDescartes M, Carroll AJ. Cytogenetics. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th Ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 81.