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Micrognathia
Micrognathia is a term for a lower jaw that is smaller than normal.
Considerations
In some cases, the jaw is small enough to interfere with the infant's feeding. Infants with this condition may need special nipples in order to feed properly.
Micrognathia often corrects itself during growth. The jaw may grow a lot during puberty. The problem can be caused by certain inherited disorders and syndromes.
Micrognathia can cause the teeth not to align properly. This can be seen in the way the teeth close. Often there will not be enough room for the teeth to grow.
Children with this problem should see an orthodontist when the adult teeth come in. Because children may outgrow the condition, it often makes sense to delay treatment until a child is older.
Causes
Micrognathia may be part of other genetic syndromes, including:
-
Cri du chat syndrome
Cri du chat syndrome
Cri du chat syndrome is a group of symptoms that result from missing a piece of chromosome number 5. The syndrome's name is based on the infant's cr...
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-
Marfan syndrome
Marfan syndrome
Marfan syndrome is a disorder of connective tissue. This is the tissue that strengthens the body's structures. Disorders of connective tissue affect...
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Pierre Robin syndrome
Pierre Robin syndrome
Pierre Robin sequence (or syndrome) is a condition in which an infant has a smaller than normal lower jaw, a tongue that falls back in the throat, an...
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Progeria
Progeria
Progeria is a rare genetic condition that produces rapid aging in children.
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Russell-Silver syndrome
Russell-Silver syndrome
Russell-Silver syndrome (RSS) is a disorder present at birth involving poor growth. One side of the body may also appear to be larger than the other...
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- Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome
-
Treacher-Collins syndrome
Treacher-Collins syndrome
Treacher Collins syndrome is a condition that is passed down through families (hereditary). It leads to problems with the structure of the face....
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Trisomy 13
Trisomy 13
Trisomy 13 (also called Patau syndrome) is a genetic disorder in which a person has 3 copies of genetic material from chromosome 13, instead of the u...
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Trisomy 18
Trisomy 18
Trisomy 18 is a genetic disorder in which a person has a third copy of material from chromosome 18, instead of the usual 2 copies.
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XO syndrome (
Turner syndrome
)
Turner syndrome
Turner syndrome is a rare genetic condition in which a female does not have the usual pair of 2 X chromosomes.
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Home Care
You may need to use special feeding methods for a child with this condition. Most hospitals have programs where you can learn about these methods.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if:
- Your child seems to have a very small jaw
- Your child has trouble feeding properly
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
The provider will do a physical exam and may ask questions about the problem. Some of these may include:
- When did you first notice that the jaw was small?
- How severe is it?
- Does the child have trouble eating?
- What other symptoms are present?
The physical exam will include a thorough check of the mouth.
The following tests may be performed:
-
Dental x-rays
Dental x-rays
Dental x-rays are a type of image of the teeth and mouth. X-rays are a form of high energy electromagnetic radiation. The x-rays penetrate the body...
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Skull x-rays
Skull x-rays
A skull x-ray is a picture of the bones surrounding the brain, including the facial bones, the nose, and the sinuses.
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Depending on the symptoms, a child may need to be tested for an inherited condition that may be the source of the problem. The child may need surgery or devices to correct tooth position.
References
Evens K, Hing AV, Cunningham M. Craniofacial and orthopedic conditions. In: Gleason CA, Devaskar SU, eds. Avery's Diseases of the Newborn . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 95.
Review Date: 4/21/2015
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.
