Medication Summary

With few exceptions, pharmacologic intervention in patients with Möbius syndrome is used only for symptomatic treatment. As previously mentioned, patients with Möbius syndrome may be predisposed to infections, such as pulmonary infections resulting from aspiration pneumonia, and otitis media caused by structural anomalies of the ear. Vigilance and a low threshold for treatment are required. Antibiotics used in the treatment of infectious complications include amoxicillin and trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ).

Class Summary

Proper antibiotic therapy should be started in the event of infections such as pneumonia or otitis media.

Amoxicillin (Moxatag)

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Amoxicillin is an ampicillin analogue with broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against many gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.

Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra DS)

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TMP-SMZ is a synthetic, broad-spectrum antibacterial combination. It inhibits bacterial synthesis of dihydrofolic acid by competing with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), inhibiting bacterial growth.

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Media Gallery

Autopsy photograph of a 3-month-old child with Möbius syndrome who died unexpectedly demonstrates congenital amputation of the left hand at the wrist.
Low-power photomicrograph of a brainstem specimen in an infant with Möbius syndrome who died at age 3 months. Image shows bilateral lesions in the pons of the abducens nuclei (hematoxylin and eosin stain).
Medium-power photomicrograph from the abducens nucleus in an infant with Möbius syndrome who died demonstrates diffuse necrosis and neuronal loss (hematoxylin and eosin stain).
High-power photomicrograph shows a lesion of an abducens nerve nucleus in an infant with Möbius syndrome who died at age 3 months. Image shows neuronal loss, necrosis, myxoid change, and a circumferential rim of thickened glial fibrils (hematoxylin and eosin stain).