Pierre Robin sequence
| Pierre Robin sequence | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Pierre Robin syndrome, Pierre Robin malformation, Pierre Robin anomaly, Pierre Robin anomalad |
| Infant with Pierre Robin sequence | |
| Specialty | Medical genetics |
| Symptoms | Micrognathia, glossoptosis, obstruction of the upper airway, sometimes cleft palate |
| Usual onset | During gestation, present at birth |
| Causes | intrauterine compression of fetal mandible, de-novo mutations (on chromosomes 2, 4, 11, or 17) or Stickler syndrome |
| Diagnostic method | Physical examination |
| Treatment | Craniofacial surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery |
| Frequency | 1 in 8,500 to 14,000 people |
Pierre Robin sequence (/pjɛər rɔːˈbæ̃/; abbreviated PRS) is a congenital defect observed in humans which is characterized by facial abnormalities. The three main features are micrognathia (abnormally small mandible), which causes glossoptosis (downwardly displaced or retracted tongue), which in turn causes breathing problems due to obstruction of the upper airway. A wide, U-shaped cleft palate is commonly also present. PRS is not merely a syndrome, but rather it is a sequence—a series of specific developmental malformations which can be attributed to a single cause.