Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
A Battery of Motor Tests in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Cerebral Palsy
Published on: November 3, 2016
Neonatal Functional Treatment for Pierre Robin Sequence
Gabriella Galluccio1, Valentina Mazzoli1, Roberto Vernucci1
1Department of Orthodontics and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome School of Dentistry, Rome, Italy.
Insights
This study shows that functional obturator plates significantly improve feeding and weight gain in infants with Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS). This orthodontic approach can reduce or eliminate the need for surgical intervention in many cases.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial anomalies
- Pediatric dentistry
- Orthodontics
Background:
- Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) is a condition characterized by micrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft palate, often causing airway obstruction.
- Comprehensive care for PRS involves orthodontic management throughout a child's growth period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a functional orthodontic approach in managing Pierre Robin Sequence.
- To assess functional outcomes, treatment duration, and appliance usage in PRS patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of PRS patients treated with a functional approach between 2013-2017.
- Treatment involved early impression and plate supply, stimulated bottle feeding, and plate adjustments for palatal growth.
Main Results:
- All patients demonstrated positive outcomes, including improved feeding and weight gain.
- The treatment facilitated reaching the surgical phase without adverse effects.
- The functional obturator plate supported mandibular growth and palate development.
Conclusions:
- Functional obturator plates can reduce or eliminate the need for surgical intervention in PRS by addressing mandibular growth alterations.
- Persistent nutritional issues may necessitate surgical approaches like mandibular osteodistraction.
Objective:
Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) is a heterogeneous pathological condition characterized by the coexistence of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft palate, resulting in upper airway tract obstruction. Among the treatment modalities, the orthodontic approach is one part of the comprehensive care of those patients and will be present in the treatment modalities during all the growth period of the child.
Methods:
All patients with PRS observed in the period 2013-2017 were treated with a definite functional approach. The results were retrospectively analyzed with regard to functional outcome, total treatment time, and number of plates provided for a single patient.
Results:
In all the patients, the indicated treatment protocol has been applied as early impression and plate supply, stimulation of bottle feeding with the use of the plate, eventual substitution of the plate if no more adequate to the transverse and sagittal growth of the palate, and continuing the use until the surgical closure of the cleft. All the patients showed a positive outcome to the proposed treatment approach, evaluated with regard to the incidence of feeding improvement and weight gain, to the limit for the surgical phase, in the absence of adverse effects.
Conclusion:
The use of a functional obturator plate, removing functional alterations to mandibular growth, reduces and, in some cases, eliminates the need for surgical intervention. As also stated in the literature, if despite the presence of the plate nutritional problems persist, immediate different surgical approaches, mainly mandibular osteodistraction, become necessary.
