[An infant with an asymmetric mouth when crying or laughing]

Hanaâ Benjeddi1, Olivier Weijer, Jan Maarten Cobben

  • 1Flevoziekenhuis, afd. Kindergeneeskunde, Almere.

Insights

Asymmetrical crying in infants can indicate nerve issues or muscle defects. Further investigations are crucial to rule out genetic syndromes and associated organ anomalies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Clinical Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Asymmetrical crying in infants may signal nerve compression or facial muscle developmental defects.
  • A 22q11 deletion syndrome is a potential cause, often involving multiple organ systems.

Observation:

  • A 2-month-old infant presented with an asymmetrical mouth when crying or laughing, with no other symptoms.
  • Genetic testing and ultrasounds were performed to rule out 22q11 deletion syndrome.

Findings:

  • Genetic and ultrasound investigations revealed no significant findings for 22q11 deletion syndrome.
  • The infant's condition was diagnosed as isolated asymmetric crying facies due to hypoplasia of the depressor anguli oris muscle.

Implications:

  • An asymmetrical mouth in infants necessitates further investigation to exclude underlying genetic syndromes.
  • Early identification and evaluation are essential for managing potential multi-organ anomalies associated with asymmetric crying facies.
Abstract

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