eMedicine Specialties > Neurology > Pediatric Neurology

Mobius Syndrome: Follow-up

Author: Cheryl Ann Palmer, MD, Professor, Departments of Pathology and Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Departments of Pathology and Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital; Consulting Staff, Departments of Pathology and Neurology, Veteran Affairs Medical Center; Consulting Staff, Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Alabama
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Mar 17, 2009

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Physical therapy might be useful for managing congenital orthopedic problems or for postoperative care if orthopedic intervention is required.
  • Occupational therapy may help patients, especially those without hands or digits, accomplish activities of daily living.
  • Speech therapy may be started if the deficits of lower cranial nerves are severe. Severe facial nerve paralysis often mechanically affects speech.

Complications

Complications depend on the severity of the patient’s deficits. They may include aspiration pneumonia, corneal ulceration/abrasion, dysphagia, and poor nutrition.

Prognosis

Möbius syndrome is a static neurologic defect.

  • In patients with severe brainstem compromise that causes dysphagia, aspiration, and an inability to protect the airway, death may occur at a young age.
  • In its mildest form, Möbius syndrome is not lethal.

Patient Education

  • Parental education is required early in the child's life. Discuss airway compromise and the possible need for tracheotomy (if the condition is severe).
  • Parents and patients also may require education concerning appliances that enable ambulation, if applicable.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

Because birth trauma can cause a syndrome with a presentation similar to that of Möbius syndrome, birth trauma should be excluded as soon as possible after birth.

 


More on Mobius Syndrome

Overview: Mobius Syndrome
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Mobius Syndrome
Treatment & Medication: Mobius Syndrome
Follow-up: Mobius Syndrome
Multimedia: Mobius Syndrome
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

congenital facial diplegia, congenital nuclear agenesis, congenital nuclear hypoplasia, congenital oculofacial paralysis, Möbius syndrome, loss of function of motor cranial nerves, Poland anomaly, congenital facial paralysis, Poland sequence

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Cheryl Ann Palmer, MD, Professor, Departments of Pathology and Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Departments of Pathology and Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital; Consulting Staff, Departments of Pathology and Neurology, Veteran Affairs Medical Center; Consulting Staff, Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Alabama
Cheryl Ann Palmer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuropathologists, Medical Association of the State of Alabama, Society for Neuro-Oncology, and Southern Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Robert Baumann, MD, Program Director, Professor, Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of Kentucky
Robert Baumann, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Epidemiology, American Epilepsy Society, and Child Neurology Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Kenneth J Mack, MD, PhD, Senior Associate Consultant, Department of Child and Adolescent Neurology, Mayo Clinic
Kenneth J Mack, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, Child Neurology Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Neuroscience
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Matthew J Baker, MD, Consulting Staff, Collier Neurologic Specialists, Naples Community Hospital
Matthew J Baker, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Amy Kao, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University; Consulting Staff, Shriners Hospital for Children
Amy Kao, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Epilepsy Society, and Child Neurology Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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