Pierre Robin Syndrome is a congenital condition causing abnormally small lower jaw in babies.

Causes

The exact cause for this syndrome is not known but some possibilities are:

• Certain other genetic syndromes
• Inability of lower jaw to develop normally before birth

Symptoms

• Small or retracted lower jaw
• Cleft palate without cleft lip
• Tongue that falls back obstructing the airway
• Tongue that appears large for the jaw size

Treatment

In mild cases, the jaw grows to a normal size in the first few years. In other cases, treatment may include:

• Tube through the nose to prevent airway blockage
• Surgery to prevent airways obstruction
• Tracheostomy to make a hole in the windpipe
• Surgery to repair the cleft palate

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent this syndrome.