Frequency
The exact incidence of Moebius syndrome is unknown. Researchers estimate that the condition affects 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 500,000 newborns.
Causes
The causes of Moebius syndrome are unknown, although the condition probably results from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Researchers are working to identify and describe specific genes related to this condition. The disorder appears to be associated with changes in particular regions of chromosomes 3, 10, or 13 in some families. Certain medications taken during pregnancy and abuse of drugs such as cocaine may also be risk factors for Moebius syndrome.
Many of the signs and symptoms of Moebius syndrome result from the absence or underdevelopment of cranial nerves VI and VII. These nerves, which emerge from the brainstem at the back of the brain, control back-and-forth eye movement and facial expressions. The disorder can also affect other cranial nerves that are important for speech, chewing, and swallowing. Abnormal development of cranial nerves leads to the facial muscle weakness or paralysis that is characteristic of Moebius syndrome.
Researchers speculate that Moebius syndrome may result from changes in blood flow to the brainstem during early stages of embryonic development. However, it is unclear what causes these changes to occur and why they specifically disrupt the development of cranial nerves VI and VII. Even less is known about the causes of some other signs and symptoms of this condition, including hand and foot abnormalities.
Inheritance
Most cases of Moebius syndrome are sporadic, which means they occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family. A small percentage of all cases have been reported to run in families; however, the condition does not have a single clear pattern of inheritance.
Other Names for This Condition
- Congenital facial diplegia
- Congenital ophthalmoplegia and facial paresis
- Mobius syndrome
- Moebius congenital oculofacial paralysis
- Moebius sequence
- Moebius spectrum
- Möbius sequence
Additional Information & Resources
Genetic Testing Information
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Patient Support and Advocacy Resources
Clinical Trials
Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM
Scientific Articles on PubMed
References
- Briegel W, Schimek M, Kamp-Becker I. Moebius sequence and autism spectrum disorders--less frequently associated than formerly thought. Res Dev Disabil. 2010 Nov-Dec;31(6):1462-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2010.06.012. Citation on PubMed
- Briegel W, Schimek M, Knapp D, Holderbach R, Wenzel P, Knapp EM. Cognitive evaluation in children and adolescents with Mobius sequence. Child Care Health Dev. 2009 Sep;35(5):650-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.00943.x. Epub 2009 Feb 23. Citation on PubMed
- Briegel W. Neuropsychiatric findings of Mobius sequence -- a review. Clin Genet. 2006 Aug;70(2):91-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2006.00649.x. Citation on PubMed
- Broussard AB, Borazjani JG. The faces of Moebius syndrome: recognition and anticipatory guidance. MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2008 Sep-Oct;33(5):272-8; quiz 279-80. doi: 10.1097/01.NMC.0000334892.45979.d5. Citation on PubMed
- Children's Craniofacial Association: A Guide to Understanding Moebius Syndrome
- Verzijl HT, Padberg GW, Zwarts MJ. The spectrum of Mobius syndrome: an electrophysiological study. Brain. 2005 Jul;128(Pt 7):1728-36. doi: 10.1093/brain/awh502. Epub 2005 Apr 13. Citation on PubMed
- Verzijl HT, van der Zwaag B, Cruysberg JR, Padberg GW. Mobius syndrome redefined: a syndrome of rhombencephalic maldevelopment. Neurology. 2003 Aug 12;61(3):327-33. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000076484.91275.cd. Citation on PubMed
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