[Moebius syndrome with pharyngo-laryngeal paralysis in a premature infant]

A case of Moebius syndrome in a premature baby is reported. After a phase of neonatal severe respiratory distress syndrome, the baby presented with a persistent facial paralysis, already present at birth and inability to close the eyes (also present in her father), without ophthalmoplegia. An unusual pharyngeal and laryngeal paralysis was also present: it led to tracheal intubation then tracheostomy and gastrostomy. CT scan at 15 months of age showed hypoplasia of brain stem. The difficulties of managing bulbar paralysis in such a premature baby are emphasized.