Pierre Robin syndrome is a condition present at birth, in which the infant has a smaller than normal lower jaw, a tongue that falls back in the throat, and difficulty breathing.

Robin sequence; Pierre Robin complex; Pierre Robin anomaly

The exact causes of Pierre Robin syndrome are unknown. It may be part of many genetic syndromes.

The lower jaw develops slowly before birth, but speeds up during the first year of life.

Images

Infant hard and soft palates

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Pierre Robin syndrome Symptoms

Review Date: 10/14/2009
Reviewed By: Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Departments of Anatomy and Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)