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[Crying upon eating: the crocodile-tears syndrome]
R Rodrigues Pereira1, W F M Arts
1Medisch Centrum Rijnmond-Zuid, locatie St. Clara Ziekenhuis, afd. Kindergeneeskunde, Olympiaweg 350, 3078 HT Rotterdam. pereirar@mcrz.nl
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|February 8, 2005
Summary
Crocodile tears syndrome, a rare condition causing crying during feeding, occurs when facial nerves incorrectly innervate lacrimal glands. Treatment options include surgery or botulinum-A toxin injections.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Crocodile tears syndrome (CTS) involves aberrant reinnervation of lacrimal glands by facial nerve fibers.
- This condition can manifest congenitally or arise secondary to trauma or infection.
Observation:
- A male infant presented with crying immediately upon initiating nursing, a characteristic symptom of CTS.
- The crying reflex during feeding suggests abnormal neural connections affecting the lacrimal apparatus.
Findings:
- The infant's presentation is consistent with a diagnosis of crocodile tears syndrome.
- Partial aberrant innervation of the lacrimal glands by efferent fibers of the facial nerve (VII) is the presumed pathophysiology.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing CTS in infants.
- Therapeutic options, including surgical correction and botulinum-A toxin, offer potential for symptom alleviation.