Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive 2023
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • Understanding Moebius Syndrome

Understanding Moebius Syndrome

Baby with Moebius syndrome
Get-hooked January 12, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Our weekly focus on rare disorders and disabilities puts the spotlight on Moebius Syndrome. 24 January is marked as Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day worldwide, an attempt to draw global attention to a rare condition that is not easily understood.

A rare neurological condition, Moebius Syndrome affects the muscles that control a person’s facial expressions and eye movements. People with Moebius syndrome are unable to smile or frown, or raise the eyebrows. The muscle weakness linked with this condition also causes issues with feeding.

Signs of Moebius Syndrome

The signs and symptoms are present at the time of birth. A number of people with Moebius syndrome are born with a small chin, small mouth, and with a short tongue. Some may have cleft palate, or the roof of their mouth may be high. This leads to speech issues. Teeth are also missing or lack alignment.

Moebius syndrome affects the muscles that control the back and forth movement of the eyes. This means people with this condition have to move the head from side to side to read or to follow the movement of items. Their eyelids may not close completely when they blink or sleep.

Additional signs are weak muscle tone, issues with the feet or hands, and hearing loss. Children who are affected may experience delays in development of their motor skills.

Causes

Causes of Moebius syndrome remain unknown. The condition most likely results from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. No specific genes have been identified as related to the syndrome. Certain medications taken during pregnancy or drug abuse might be risk factors.

“Proper care and treatment give many individuals a normal life expectancy. The exact cause of the syndrome is unknown. It appears to occur randomly in most cases. However, some cases in families suggest that there may be a genetic component”, says the Organisation for Rare Diseases India

Treatment

There is no single course of medical treatment for Moebius syndrome. The children are managed by a multidisciplinary team of experts across different fields.

The signs usually get noticed by the paediatrician and if there is a sense that it is neurologically-related, then a reference to consult a neurologist may be give. There are cosmetic and physical effects to this condition and patients have to learn to love with it. There are physiotherapy and specialised occupational therapy treatments available. – Dr Mukesh Kumar, Neurologist, Max Hospital, Delhi

Some of the therapies that may be considered are:

  • Occupational therapy for patients with abnormalities of the hands, fingers and toes.
  • Speech therapy may be necessary for some affected children.
  • Splints, braces and prostheses may be necessary for individuals with congenital limb abnormalities
  • Genetic counselling may benefit affected individuals and their families.
Read More:
  • Organisation for Rare Diseases India

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Education

#TeachersSpecial - Visually impaired college lecturer Sangeeta Agrawal aims to give equal opportunities to children in India

Accessibility

Australian mom’s adaptive bra invention for disabled daughter can help all women dress independently

Get-hooked

Understanding - Sensory Processing Disorder

Get-hooked

Parenting Corner – Fun activities for vacations

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2023 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.