Moebius syndrome is a rare disease that makes people unable to smile. This condition affects various cranial nerves, impairing the muscles that control facial expressions and eye movements.
It is possible be happy without smiling? People who suffer from Moebius Syndrome Perhaps they are able to answer.
The exact incidence of this disease is unknown. But several studies cited by the estimated that, worldwide, between 1 in 50,000 babies They are born with this disease. It is also thought that syndrome occurs in people of all races and ethnic groups that affect men and women in equal proportion.
The main characteristics of Moebius syndrome is the absence or underdevelopment of two sets of cranial nerve (NC): abducent nerves (NC VI) and facial nerves (NC VII).
As the live science article explains, there are 12 pairs of cranial nerves in total, which transmit signs of the brain to different parts of the face, head, neck and trunk.
The abducent nerves control the muscles that push their eyes away from the central line of the face, moving the left eye to the left and the right eye to the right.
The facial nerves control various movements of the face, such as blinking, frowning, smiling and frowning; and transmit sensory signs related to hearing and taste and help control saliva and lacrimal glands.
Still, depending on the patient, Moebius syndrome may be associated with problems in other cranial nerves, beyond NC VI and VII.
The exact causes of these cranial nerve problems in Moebius syndrome are not well understood. There is, for example, a pattern of heredity.
Alcohol and Drugs: Two risk factors
Some studies have identified mutations in certain genes which can contribute to at least some cases of the disease. These genes are the PLXND1 and the REV3Lwhich contribute, respectively, to the development of the brain in the womb and to the repair of the DNA.
Other researchers think that the syndrome may arise due to disorders in blood flow to the brain trunk during the early stages of development.
But the risk of Moebius syndrome has also been associated with exposure to certain sustaining in the womb. These substances include alcohol, drug, benzodiazepineso thalidomide immunosuppressor and the medicine for migraines ergotamina.
How are patients affected?
Symptoms of the disease may vary from person to person, but they usually have the following characteristics: weakness or facial paralysiswhich compromises the ability to make side eye movements.
Babies with Moebius syndrome can Break more than normalhave the cross -eyed and need to move the whole head to locate objects along a horizontal trajectory.
Normally, do not exhibit facial expressions – Which becomes more notorious when they are laughing or crying.
It is also frequent to have Difficulty in feedingsince their suction and swallowing capabilities are affected.
Other symptoms observed in some people with Moebius syndrome, described by Live Science, are the Small jaw and short tongue.
Many babies also have delays in the development of motor skills such as trigger, but they recover later in development. It is thought that many patients have been wrongly diagnosed as autistic Due to differences arising from nervous paralysis – such as speech delay and inability to make facial expressions – which make social interactions more difficult.
Yet curePhysical and occupational therapy can be useful for patients with orthopedic anomalies, such as speech therapy for sick with speech delays.
