Broad nasal bridge

Broad nasal bridge can be a normal facial feature. However, it can also be associated with certain genetic or congenital (present from birth) disorders.

Causes may include:

• Basal cell nevus syndrome
• Fetal hydantoin effect (mother took the drug hydantoin during pregnancy)
• Normal facial feature
• Other congenital syndromes

There is no need to treat broad nasal bridge. Other conditions that have broad nasal bridge as a symptom may need medical attention.

Contact your health care provider if:

• You feel that the shape of your child's nose is interfering with breathing
• You have questions about your child's nose

The provider will perform a physical exam. Provider may also ask questions about the person's family and medical history.

Chambers C, Friedman JM. Teratogenesis and environmental exposure. In: Resnik R, Lockwood CJ, Moore TR, Greene MF, Copel JA, Silver RM, eds. Creasy and Resnik's Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 33.

Haddad J, Dodhia SN. Congenital disorders of the nose. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 404.

Olitsky SE, Marsh JD. Disorders of eye movement and alignment. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 641.

Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.