Moebius Syndrome (MBS) is a rare disorder, characterized by congenital, non-progressive facial palsy and other cranial and limb defects. A typical “mask-like” appearance, drooling, and indistinct speech comprise the dominant features.
Many people with Moebius syndrome are born with a small chin (micrognathia ) and a small mouth (microstomia ) with a short or unusually shaped tongue. The roof of the mouth may have an abnormal opening (cleft palate ) or be high and arched .
Moebius syndrome is a rare birth defect that mainly affects the muscles that control facial expression and eye movement. It is caused by the absence or underdevelopment of the sixth and seventh cranial nerves, which control eye movements and facial expression.
The Moebius Syndrome is characterized by multiple cranial nerve palsies, orofacial malformations, and limb anomalies. The Poland Syndrome consists of unilateral hypoplasia or aplasia of the chest wall muscles (mainly pectoralis major), mammary gland, ribs and cutaneous syndactyly of the ipsilateral hand.
Weakness or complete paralysis of the facial muscles. Trouble swallowing or sucking. Difficulties with speech and frequent drooling. Inability to form facial expressions, including smiling, frowning, raising eyebrows, puckering lips or closing eyes.
Boy with Moebius Syndrome Smiles for the First Time | Duke Health
Can people with Moebius syndrome smile?
Symptoms of Moebius Syndrome Weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, meanwhile, is the most overt symptom related to Moebius syndrome. Affected individuals lack facial expressions; they cannot smile, frown, or raise their eyebrows.
What is the shape of the mouth in Moebius syndrome autism?
For example, some babies (later diagnosed with autism) exhibited the characteristic shape of a Möbius mouth. Sometimes, Möbius mouth is recognized from birth. When the baby smiles, the typical Möbius mouth shape disappears, but when the smile ceases, the tented upper lip and flat lower lip reappears.
Moebius syndrome affects males and females in equal numbers. The disorder is present at birth (congenital). The exact incidence and prevalence rates of Moebius syndrome are unknown. One estimate places the incidence at 1 case per 50,000 live births in the United States.
There is no cure for Moebius syndrome. In spite of the impairments that characterize the disorder, proper care and treatment give many individuals a normal life expectancy.
Moebius syndrome may also be associated with a somewhat increased risk of intellectual disability; however, most affected individuals have normal intelligence. The exact incidence of Moebius syndrome is unknown. Researchers estimate that the condition affects 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 500,000 newborns.
Hypotonia (muscle weakness), which is associated with Moebius syndrome, may also contribute to speech, feeding, and oral motor movement difficulties. Feeding tubes may be needed for some individuals.
It is characterized by incontrollable attacks of sleep (with frequent naps with REM sleep) during the day, being classically described by an association between diurnal excessive sleepiness, sleep fragmentation, cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations [4].
How many people in the world have Moebius syndrome?
The occurrence of Moebius syndrome is rare, and there are very limited data available regarding its epidemiology. Studies estimate the prevalence to be 0.0002% - 0.002% of live births [7,22]. Moreover, no difference has been found regarding the incidence among different genders or races [22,23].
Because people with Moebius syndrome can't mirror facial expressions and cues, it can be hard for them to recognize and understand other people's emotions. They may appear indifferent as if they don't care about other people's emotions.
Treatment There is no single course of medical treatment or cure for Möbius syndrome. Treatment is supportive and in accordance with symptoms. If they have difficulty nursing, infants may require feeding tubes or special bottles to maintain sufficient nutrition.
You can't smile, frown, or move your eyes from side to side. “You essentially have a mask on your face,” says Roland Bienvenu, 67, a Texan with Moebius syndrome. Without being able to smile, others “can get the incorrect impression of you”, he says. “You can almost read their thoughts.
Why can't someone with Moebius syndrome smile or frown?
It is characterised by weakening or paralysis of the muscles in the face which control expression and lateral eye movements. People born with Moebius syndrome are unable to smile or frown, blink their eyes, or suck, although sometimes only one side is affected.
People with Moebius syndrome lack control of the muscles that move the eyes from side to side, and must move their heads to read or track objects. Eyes may look in different directions and the eyelids may not close completely in sleep or when blinking. That can lead to dryness or irritation of the eyes.
Can people with Moebius syndrome close their eyes?
People with Moebius have difficulty making eye contact. Their eyelids may not close completely when blinking or sleeping, which can result in dry or irritated eyes. The weakness in the muscle also causes problems with sucking and the ability to feed, an early symptom that arises with newborns. Read more here.
The condition is non-progressive, patients are usually of normal intelligence and full life expectancy is the norm. These features may result in children of women who have taken one of several compounds, including misoprostol,1 cocaine,2 thalidomide3 or ergot derivatives, at around the 6–8 week period of gestation.
The most prominent symptom is facial paralysis. Unfortunately, children with Moebius syndrome can't make standard facial expressions. They are unable to smile, frown, and raise their eyebrows. Aside from the physical difficulty, facial paralysis often creates extremely challenging psychological challenges as well.
Despite the facial muscle weakness or paralysis, many individuals with Moebius syndrome can talk. The severity affects speech differently, with some facing challenges like trouble swallowing and frequent drooling.
The estimated incidence of Moebius syndrome is roughly 2 to 20 cases per 1 million births. Moebius syndrome occurs equally in all populations. The condition occurs in all ethnicities. There is no gender bias; males and females are affected equally.
