Common micrognathia symptoms in babies and children include:
Micrognathia in adults can lead to obstructive sleep apnea. Some people successfully treat their symptoms with a CPAP machine, while others may need braces or corrective jaw surgery VSports在线直播.
People can inherit micrognathia, meaning it’s passed down through genes. It can also occur because of a random genetic mutation. Sometimes there’s no known cause for micrognathia.
Micrognathia is associated with a number of genetic syndromes and conditions. Genetic causes of micrognathia include:
Your healthcare provider will examine your child’s facial structures. Specifically, they’ll:
Sometimes your healthcare provider can diagnose micrognathia before your baby is born. A prenatal ultrasound can show if the lower jaw is underdeveloped.
If you or your child has micrognathia, your healthcare provider may recommend further testing, including:
In some cases, micrognathia improves on its own. If this is going to happen, it usually gets better by the time your child is 18 months old. In the meantime, your healthcare provider will monitor your baby’s progress.
There are nonsurgical and surgical treatments for micrognathia. What’s right for your child depends on the severity of the condition.
The most common nonsurgical treatments for micrognathia include:
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If nonsurgical options don’t work, then micrognathia surgery may be necessary. Surgical treatments include:
If micrognathia doesn’t improve on its own by the time your child is 18 months old, your healthcare provider may recommend treatment. They’ll talk with you about your options and find a plan that works for you and your child.
The overall outlook for children with micrognathia largely depends on the underlying condition. Your healthcare provider can tell you what to expect based on your child’s specific situation.
Because micrognathia is typically a congenital condition, there’s no way to prevent it. There’s also no way to prevent most of the underlying conditions associated with it.
If your child has a small or underdeveloped lower jaw, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. Additionally, you should call your provider if your child develops noisy breathing, feeding problems or other concerning symptoms.
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If your child has been diagnosed with micrognathia, you’ll want to learn all you can about the condition. Here are some questions to ask your healthcare provider:
Micrognathia is fairly common in newborns, and the condition often improves on its own. In some cases, however, it can block their airway and interfere with proper breathing and feeding. If your child has micrognathia, your healthcare provider can talk with you about treatment options and determine which one is most appropriate.
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If you have conditions affecting your ears, nose and throat, you want experts you can trust. Cleveland Clinic’s otolaryngology specialists can help.
Last reviewed on 04/28/2022.
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