Conditions We Treat

Pierre Robin sequence

Pierre Robin sequence is a rare birth defect identified by an abnormally small lower jaw (micrognathia) or a drastically receding chin (retrognathia). Because of their small lower jaw, children with RS also have a displaced tongue (glossoptosis), which tends to fall back into the throat and can block the airway. About 80% of children with RS also have cleft palate, an abnormal U-shaped opening in the roof of their mouth, which makes mouth feeding very difficult. Some newborns with RS can’t breathe at all; their airway is too narrow or is entirely blocked by their tongue. Some infants with RS also have difficulty mouth feeding and swallowing and must be fed through a tube.

Some babies with severe RS need a breathing tube insertion (endotracheal intubation) or surgical opening of a hole on the neck (tracheostomy) immediately after birth to allow them to breathe. Others can be treated with a high-flow nasal canula (HFNC) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which pumps oxygen or air into their lungs through their nose and/or mouth or lower jaw elongation surgery called mandibular distraction osteogenesis to bring the lower jaw and tongue forward.