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Epicanthal folds

Plica palpebronasalis

 

An epicanthal fold is skin of the upper eyelid that covers the inner corner of the eye. The fold runs from nose to the inner side of the eyebrow.

Causes

 

Epicanthal folds may be normal for people of Asiatic descent and some non-Asian infants. Epicanthal folds also may be seen in young children of any race before the bridge of the nose begins to rise.

However, the may also be due to certain medical conditions, including:

  • Down syndrome
  • Fetal alcohol syndrome
  • Turner syndrome
  • Phenylketonuria (PKU)
  • Williams syndrome
  • Noonan syndrome
  • Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome
  • Blepharophimosis syndrome

 

Home Care

 

In most cases, no home care needed.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

This trait is most often found before or during the first well-baby exam. Call your health care provider if you notice epicanthal folds on your child's eyes and the reason for their presence is unknown.

 

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

 

The provider will examine the child and ask questions about the medical history and symptoms. Questions may include:

  • Do any family members have Down syndrome or other genetic disorder?
  • Is there a family history of intellectual disability or birth defects?

A child who is not Asian and is born with epicanthal folds may be examined for additional signs of Down syndrome or other genetic disorders.

 

 

References

Olitsky SE, Hug D, Plummer LS, Stass-Isern M. Abnormalities of the lids. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 616.

 
  • The face - illustration

    The physical landmarks of the human face are very similar from one face to another.

    The face

    illustration

  • Epicanthal fold - illustration

    An epicanthal fold is a skin fold of the upper eyelid covering the inner corner of the eye. It is often seen as a normal finding in very young children and is also common in people of Asiatic decent. An epicanthal fold can be an important diagnostic finding in conditions such as Down syndrome.

    Epicanthal fold

    illustration

  • Epicanthal folds - illustration

    The epicanthal fold is the skin fold of the upper eyelid covering the inner corner of the eye, most usually seen in people of Asiatic descent.

    Epicanthal folds

    illustration

    • The face - illustration

      The physical landmarks of the human face are very similar from one face to another.

      The face

      illustration

    • Epicanthal fold - illustration

      An epicanthal fold is a skin fold of the upper eyelid covering the inner corner of the eye. It is often seen as a normal finding in very young children and is also common in people of Asiatic decent. An epicanthal fold can be an important diagnostic finding in conditions such as Down syndrome.

      Epicanthal fold

      illustration

    • Epicanthal folds - illustration

      The epicanthal fold is the skin fold of the upper eyelid covering the inner corner of the eye, most usually seen in people of Asiatic descent.

      Epicanthal folds

      illustration

    Self Care

     

      Tests for Epicanthal folds

       

         

        Review Date: 2/5/2015

        Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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