Does Your Baby Have A Recessed Chin – 12 Important Things To Know

No new parent is comfortable with their new baby having a defect. When your baby has a recessed chin, it would make you anxious about the safety of your baby’s health. So does your baby have a recessed chin?

A recessed chin, also known as micrognathia or mandibular hypoplasia, is a condition characterized by a smaller-than-normal lower jaw. This abnormality is typically present at birth and is usually caused by incomplete development of the lower jaw during fetal development.

Babies with micrognathia may have difficulty breathing or feeding due to the small size of their jaw, which can cause their tongue to fall back and block their airway or affect their ability to latch during breastfeeding. In some cases, micrognathia can be associated with other genetic disorders such as Pierre Robin syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome, or cleft lip and palate.

Fortunately, in many cases, micrognathia improves as the child grows and develops. However, in severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the condition and ensure proper breathing and feeding. If you suspect that your child may have micrognathia, it’s important to consult with your pediatrician to determine the best course of action.

How Common Is Recessed Chin

Babies with specific genetic disorders, such as Pierre Robin syndrome, progeria, or cri-du-chat syndrome, are more prone to developing micrognathia. Random genetic mutations can sometimes cause it to happen.

Newborns with micrognathia are rather typical. A slightly recessed jaw is a typical feature of infant development. In many infants, micrognathia can go away with time, but this happens less frequently when your baby inherits it.

What Causes Recessed Chin

Recessed chin can be caused by a coincidental mutation or it might be a symptom of a hereditary illness. Sometimes the root cause is still a mystery.

The jaw grows in a baby’s womb through a difficult procedure. Separate pieces must develop before coming together. The likelihood that something could go wrong could increase according to the process complexity.

Does Your Baby Have A Recessed Chin: The Symptoms

Common signs of micrognathia in babies and young children include:

• Noisy breathing

• Respiratory issues, such as sleep apnea.

• Difficulty eating.

• Poor weight gain

• Difficulty falling asleep.

How Is It Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will examine the face structures of your child. In particular, they’ll:

• Take note of how your child’s upper and lower jaws fit together.

• Find any facial asymmetries if any exist.

• For cleft lip and palate symptoms,

• Verify where your child’s tongue is located.

A craniofacial specialist makes the diagnosis of micrognathia. He’s a physician who focuses on the face and head after a baby is born. The physician will check for further anomalies that can occasionally accompany micrognathia.

Micrognathia can develop later, although being typically present at birth. In addition to the jaw shape, parents and medical experts should be on the lookout for feeding and breathing issues, such as noisy breathing and breathing pauses.

Micrognathia may also be accompanied by difficulty swallowing and sucking, which can occasionally lead to gradual weight gain.

Examine your baby to discover whether they have a tongue knot.

Doctors occasionally identify Micrognathia even before your baby is born. A prenatal ultrasound might reveal this if the lower jaw is not developing. 

Tests Used To Diagnose

What tests will doctors use to diagnose micrognathia?

Your doctor may recommend additional tests to determine if you or your child has micrognathia, such as:

• X-rays and CT scans are examples of imaging tests.

• A sleep study that gauges heart rate, oxygenation of the blood, brain activity, and breathing during sleep

Doctors find Micrognathia before a baby’s birth. If the baby’s head is properly positioned, ultrasound imaging can reveal the jaw as early as 10 weeks. An ultrasound in three dimensions might reveal the jaw more clearly.

Other Conditions That Cause Recessed Chin

1. Pierre Robin sequence

The disruption of the womb’s normal developmental sequence gives rise to the term “sequence” for this disorder. The tongue forces back the undersized jaw, and it may prevent the palate from closing, leading to a cleft palate.

With an occurrence rate of one case of Pierre Robin for every 8,500 births, it is one of the most prevalent disorders linked to a recessed chin. It could be minor or more severe.

2. Treacher Collins syndrome

This syndrome results in underdevelopment of the jaw, palate, cheekbones, and mouth on the bottom side of the head. The syndrome affects both ears and eyes. Some situations are serious. Some are so minor that the child never receives a diagnosis.

Treacher Collins may happen as frequently as 1 in 10,000 kids, while it may be more uncommon, it’s difficult to say in undiagnosed cases.

3. Stickler syndrome

Collagen, the fibrous protein that binds and supports the body’s tissues, is defective in children with Stickler syndrome. They frequently experience issues with their joints, eyes, hearing, and facial features.

They might just experience one or two symptoms or a big list. One in 7,500 persons may have Stickler syndrome, but many instances go undetected.

Hemifacial microsomia on one side of the face is not developing in this situation. Except for cleft lip and palate, hemifacial microsomia is the most prevalent birth abnormality affecting the face. It happens once in every 4,000 births. Other names for it include craniofacial microsomia.

4. Trisomy 13 and 18

When a baby has three chromosomes instead of the typical two, this genetic abnormality known as trisomy is present. Serious mental and physical disabilities are brought on by trisomies.

Trisomy 13, often known as Patau syndrome, affects around 1 in every 16,000 newborns, according to the MN Department of Health.

Except for stillborn infants, the Trisomy 18 Foundation estimates that 1 in 6,000 infants have Trisomy 18 or Edwards syndrome.

The chromosome from where the extra material originates is indicated by the number, which may be 13 or 18.

5. Achondrogenesis

Due to a rare genetic disease called achondrogenesis, your child’s pituitary gland produces insufficient growth hormone. Serious bone issues result from this, leading to a small lower jaw and a narrow chest. It also results in very short legs, arms, neck, and torso.

6. Progeria

Your child will age quickly if they have progeria, a genetic disorder. Progeria babies normally don’t exhibit symptoms at birth, but within the first two years of life, they begin to exhibit symptoms.

Although it results from a genetic mutation, it is not passed through families. Children with progeria may also have sluggish growth, hair loss, and an extremely narrow face in addition to their small jaws.

7. Cri-du-chat syndrome

A tiny jaw and low-set ears are two physical malformations brought on by the rare genetic disorder known as Cri-du-chat syndrome.

The cry that babies with this illness give, which is high-pitched and cat-like, gave rise to the term. Typically, it is not an inherited disease.

Consult your doctor for a diagnosis and discuss the best course of action if you believe your baby may have a recessed chin.

Treatments For Recessed Chin

A recessed chin can sometimes get better on its own. If this does occur, it often improves by the time your child is 18 months old. Your healthcare professional will keep an eye on your baby’s development in the interim.

Recessed chin can be treated surgically and non-surgically. The best course of action for your child will depend on how serious the disease is.

Non Surgical Treatment

• Positional treatment: To keep a baby’s airway open, doctors may advise certain sleeping positions.

• A nasopharyngeal tube is a device that can accomplish the same thing. It enters the throat through the mouth after being placed into a nostril. To keep the airway open, this device is put into your child’s nostril or through their nasal canal.

• You might be aware that some snorers utilize what is known as a CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure) gadget. Similar devices can help children with micrognathia breathe more easily.

• A mask that goes over your child’s nose receives air through a tube from a BiPAP or CPAP machine. Your child’s airway remains open because of this constant air pressure.

Surgical Treatment

Tongue-lip adhesion through this procedure, the tongue is connected to the lower jaw in a new way so that it cannot block breathing.

• Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO): Incisions are made in the lower jawbone on either side by a surgeon. He inserts tools that widen the spaces and encourage bone formation there. This procedure can restore the airway in a couple of weeks, but it involves significant risks, including infection and nerve damage.

• Tracheostomy: This surgery, which should only be used in special circumstances, makes an opening through your child’s neck and into their windpipe. The surgery bypasses the airway blockage caused by a recessed chin.

Can I Prevent A Recessed Chin?

There is no way to avoid or prevent a recessed chin because it is often a congenital disorder. Most of the underlying issues linked to it can’t be avoided either.

What To Expect If My Child Has A Recessed Chin

By the time your child is 18 months old, and the recessed chin has not healed naturally, your healthcare professional may suggest therapy. They’ll discuss your alternatives with you and come up with an approach that works for both you and your child.

When Should I Be Scared

If your child’s jaw appears to be very small or if your baby is having difficulty eating or nursing, call your child’s doctor. Some of the significant genetic disorders that result in a tiny lower jaw must be diagnosed right away so that treatment can start.

Ultrasound may be used to detect micrognathia in some circumstances before delivery.

If your child has difficulty talking, biting, or chewing, let the doctor or dentist know. These kinds of issues may indicate teeth that need to be realigned, which an orthodontist or oral surgeon may be able to correct.

You might also see that your child has problems falling asleep or experiences breathing pauses while they sleep, which could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea brought on by a smaller jaw.

The Overall Outlook

Feeding problems associated with micrognathia often resolve as the child’s jaw lengthens naturally with growth and development. However, in severe cases or when associated with other conditions, corrective surgery may be necessary. The recovery period for surgical intervention can take 6 to 12 months, but the outcome is generally positive.

The prognosis for micrognathia is ultimately determined by the underlying condition that caused it. Certain conditions, such as achondrogenesis or trisomy 13, are often associated with a very poor prognosis and a shortened lifespan. However, many children with conditions such as Pierre-Robin syndrome or Treacher-Collins syndrome can lead relatively normal lives with or without therapy.

Your child’s doctor can provide you with more information about your child’s unique condition and prognosis. Early diagnosis and ongoing monitoring are important to ensure that any necessary interventions, whether medical or surgical, are implemented to provide the best possible outcome.

Unfortunately, micrognathia cannot be prevented, and many of the underlying conditions that cause it are not curable. If you have an inherited disorder, a genetic counselor can provide you with information about your risk of passing it on to future generations.

Finally

Identifying a recessed chin in infants can be challenging, as a slightly recessed chin and jaw are a natural part of their development. However, if the gap between the anterior upper and lower gum lines is 3mm or more, it can lead to breastfeeding difficulties.

While a recessed chin is common in newborns and often resolves on its own, it can sometimes obstruct their airway and cause breathing and feeding issues. If your child has a recessed chin, it’s important to discuss the condition with your healthcare provider and ask questions such as:

• How severe is the condition and what are the potential long-term implications?
• Is there a chance that my child will grow out of the recessed chin?
• Could my child’s other medical issues be related to the recessed chin?
• What are some sleeping positions that can help keep my baby’s airway open?
• Does my child require medical intervention and if so, what kind?

By understanding all the available options, you can make an informed decision about the best course of action for your baby. Your healthcare provider can guide how to manage the condition and ensure that your child receives appropriate care.