Perioperative care of the child with the Johanson-Blizzard syndrome

The Johanson-Blizzard Syndrome (JBS) is an autosomal recessive disorder with a characteristic phenotype, including dwarfism, a beaked nose with aplastic alae nasi, a high forehead, mid-line ectodermal scalp defects with sparse hair and absent eyelashes/eyebrows, prominent scalp veins, low set ears, a large anterior fontanelle, micrognathia, thin lips, absent permanent dentition and microcephaly. In addition to the characteristic facial features, associated conditions include congenital heart disease, exocrine/endocrine pancreatic dysfunction, hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism, mental retardation, sensorineural hearing loss and vesico-ureteral reflux. A case is presented and the potential anaesthetic implications of this syndrome are discussed.