Does Microtia affect face?

They are all the same condition. This condition may affect all structures of the face, but most commonly causes asymmetry of the eyes, jaws, ears, muscles/nerves that allow a patient to smile, and the soft tissues of the face.

What are symptoms of Goldenhar syndrome?

Symptoms of Goldenhar syndrome can vary, but may include one or more of these features:

  • Spinal abnormalities, leading to scoliosis, kyphosis or both.
  • Abnormal rib structure including missing or fused ribs, leading to poor growth, thoracic insufficiency and diminished lung function.

What does Goldenhar syndrome look like?

What does it look like? Children born with Goldenhar Syndrome may have partially formed ears or absent ears. The eye, or eyes, may have abnormal growths. Goldenhar Syndrome often is accompanied by hemifacial microsomia, which affects the cheekbones and jaw on one side of the face.

Can Goldenhar syndrome be cured?

Goldenhar syndrome cannot be cured. Treatment is focused on helping people live their best life possible with the disease. This can include speech therapy, treatments to address feeding difficulties, hearing and vision problems, heart surgery, ear reconstruction, and jaw surgery.

Does hemifacial microsomia affect the brain?

In addition to their differences in facial appearance, children with HFM have an increased risk of hearing loss, speech impairment, and feeding problems. Given the association between the developing face and brain,10 children with HFM have been thought to have neuropsychological deficits.

Can hemifacial microsomia be treated?

Research shows hemifacial microsomia treatment can help patients improve their facial appearance. Yet, treatment must be performed as early as possible. Otherwise, if HFM symptoms linger for an extended period of time, they can cause severe facial deformities.

Can Goldenhar syndrome be detected?

There is no one genetic or chromosomal test to identify Goldenhar syndrome. A doctor or specialist makes a diagnosis by examining an infant or child and identifying the symptoms of the syndrome. When it is diagnosed, the child usually needs to have further tests, such as hearing and vision tests.

Is Goldenhar syndrome fatal?

In most cases, Goldenhar syndrome is not life-threatening although complications due to its symptoms can cause breathing, eating, and hearing problems. For example, a cleft palate or lip may affect a newborn’s ability to nurse. As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection, bleeding, and/or nerve damage.

What causes goldenhar?

Causes of Goldenhar syndrome Goldenhar syndrome is a congenital disease, meaning that it is present in infants when they are born. The cause is an abnormality in a chromosome. It is usually not inherited. In about 1 or 2 percent of cases, though, the condition is inherited as a genetic disorder.

Why does hemifacial microsomia occur?

Causes. It is unclear what causes hemifacial microsomia. Research has shown the process starts in the first trimester of pregnancy and may be caused by a vascular problem leading to poor blood supply to the fetus’ face during early development. The facial anomalies are not triggered by a mother’s action or diet.

Can you detect Goldenhar syndrome before birth?

Goldenhar syndrome is a rare birth defect with unknown aetiology. Prenatal suspicion is possible but no genetic diagnosis is yet available. The prognosis depends on the presented malformations and association with systemic defects. Multidisciplinary evaluation is essential to reach this challenging clinical diagnosis.

Can hemifacial microsomia be fixed?

Hemifacial microsomia surgery for children can involve one or more procedures to correct underdevelopment of bone and soft tissue in the face. Common surgeries for children dealing with HFM include: Lowering the upper jaw to match the opposite side and lengthening the lower jaw. Using a bone graft to lengthen the jaw.