Moebius syndrome

Moebius syndrome is a rare congenital neurological disease whose main symptoms are facial paralysis and eye muscle paralysis. Additionally, abnormalities of the extremities and the trunk are conspicuous.

The first symptoms, such as lack of eyelid closure, facial paralysis, ophthalmoplegia and dysphagia, occur shortly after birth. The affected infants often suffer from respiratory and feeding difficulties, which can lead to developmental problems. Aspiration and ingestion can have serious effects.

Dysarthria has an effect on speech development, which is further complicated by hearing disabilities or deafness. About 15% of children suffer from mental disabilities or behavioral disorders, indicating the involvement of cranial nerves and cerebral structures. 

Other possible symptoms include clubfeet, anomalies of the hands, synbrachydactyly, aplasia of the chest muscle, arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and rib deformities.

The cause of the syndrome is a developmental disorder of the VII cranial nerve. The disease is inherited autosomal dominant.