Glossoptosis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Glossoptosis is a medical condition and abnormality which involves the downward displacement or retraction of the tongue.[1] This mostly affects infants and children.[2] It may cause non-fusion of the hard palate, causing cleft palate.[1] It can also cause difficulties with feeding and upper airway obstructions.[3] Glossoptosis could be a symptom of a birth defect from Pierre Robin Syndrome.[2] It can also arise with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.[2]
Glossoptosis is characterized by an abnormal posterior placement of the tongue like a downward displacement or retraction. This characteristic causes other symptoms to arise because of the abnormality. Glossoptosis may cause upper airway obstruction which can lead to infants not getting enough oxygen.[2] Not only may they not get enough oxygen they most likely will experience shortness of breath and struggle to breathe.[2]
Not being able to breathe properly can lead to other difficulties like struggling to breastfeed or even eat because of the lack of oxygen.[3] Infants and children can also have difficulties swallowing because of the abnormal placement of the tongue.[2] If they are unable to eat properly this can cause a lack of nutrients in the infants or children affected with the abnormality, and most likely will fail to thrive.[3]
Another symptom of glossoptosis can be obstructive sleep apnea.[2] A study showed that 25% of children who were sent for fluoroscopic sleep studies showed glossoptosis as a cause of airway obstruction leading to sleep apnea.[4] Some children affected with glossoptosis can also experience speech issues.[2]
Causes
Glossoptosis can be caused by birth defects one being Pierre Robin Syndrome (PRS).[2] Birth defects usually occur during the pregnancy and are present at birth.[2] They are not preventable.[2] Pierre Robin Syndrome specifically targets infants’ jaws and may not form properly.[2] Pierre Robin Syndrome is also known as Pierre Robin sequence because it is a sequence of disorders, one causing the next.[3] For example, micrognathia in PRS can lead to glossoptosis and that leads to airway obstruction.[3]
Genetic disorders can cause glossoptosis as well.[2] Genetic disorders happen when there is a mutation or change in a gene.[2] They can also be passed down from parents to their children.[2] Down syndrome is one of those genetic disorders that can cause glossoptosis in a child.[2]
Neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy also causes glossoptosis.[2] Neuromuscular disorders happen when there’s an abnormality in brain development.[2] This can happen during or after pregnancy.[2] Children affected with cerebral palsy have weak muscles which can affect the tongue.[2] Weak tongue muscles lead to children with cerebral palsy having downward displacement or retraction of the tongue.[2]
