Pierre Robin Sequence has many causes. Some infants develop a small lower jaw because of a genetic abnormality, or syndrome, which can put them at risk for other birth defects. Your surgeon and medical team will assess your baby and provide guidance whether additional testing is needed to look for such issues.
The severity of Pierre Robin Sequence can vary. The most significant cases have difficulty breathing and may require placement of breathing tube by the neonatologist or pediatrician shortly after birth.
In less severe cases patients may demonstrate:
Patients with Pierre Robin Sequence undergo care with a team of specialists. These include a craniofacial and pediatric maxillofacial surgeon, a pediatric ENT specialist, a feeding expert, a geneticist, and a pediatrician or neonatologist. An overnight sleep study will provide information about the severity of the airway obstruction called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Your surgeon will help assess the baby’s entire airway to look for other sources of airway obstruction, and the pediatricians and geneticists will provide a thorough evaluation to look for syndromes and other conditions your baby may be at risk for.
Many cases of Pierre Robin Sequence can be managed but typically requires surgery. In less severe cases, special positioning during feedings and sleep will improve the position of the tongue and allow an infant to breathe well until they outgrow the problem. In more significant cases surgery may be required. Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a surgical procedure that stretches the bone of the lower jaw to pull the tongue forward and improve airway obstruction. The surgeons and medical team of Florida Craniofacial Institute will help determine if your child is a candidate for this procedure. Patients who are not candidates for distraction osteogenesis may benefit from the placement of a tracheostomy or feeding tube. Repair of a cleft palate is important for infants to develop normal speech. This operation is usually performed around one year of age, but may be safely delayed if your child if there is concern about your child’s breathing. One of our craniofacial and pediatric maxillofacial surgeons will perform this operation and will determine the best time for this operation depending on your child’s condition.