Advantages and disadvantages of mandibular distraction in Robin sequence

Robin sequence (RS) is diagnosed in infants born with micrognathia, glossoptosis and varying degrees of upper airway obstruction (UAO)1. RS is the result of a sequence of disruptions to embryonic development that is believed to begin with hypoplasia of the neonatal mandible. Micrognathia can be initiated by extrinsic, intrinsic, or neurologic/neuromuscular causes2,3. The heterogeneity of the RS phenotype can be explained by these different etiologies. A classification can be made into “isolated RS” - infants without any concomitant anomalies, and “RS-plus”-infants, in whom additional malformations are found.
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Source Type: research