A Rare Cause of Recurring Lung Infection: Moebius Syndrome

Abstract

Moebius syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by bilateral paralysis of the VIth and VIIth cranial nerves, leading to facial diplegia and bilateral paralysis of ocular abduction, often associated with orofacial anomalies. This work reports a case collected at the pediatric infectious diseases and pneumo-allergology department of the Children's Hospital of Rabat, of a 9-month-old male infant, 6th of a family of six, of non-consanguineous parents, with a delay in psychomotor acquisitions. The examination shows facial dysmorphism with hypertelorism, epicanthus and right facial paralysis. Since birth, he has had swallowing disorders causing repeated respiratory infections, hence his hospitalization in our training. The etiopathogenesis of this disease remains controversial, with a great clinical heterogeneity whose observed signs are mainly due to the involvement of the VIth and VIIth cranial pairs, mainly resulting in various orofacial and ocular anomalies. The treatment remains symptomatic based on a multidisciplinary approach. The aim of this observation is to identify the particularities of this syndrome with a view to early diagnosis and effective management.