What is Pierre Robin Sequence?

Also known as: Pierre Robin Syndrome.

In 1923, a French physician named Pierre Robin described a child with a small jaw, tongue that is displaced back towards the throat and cleft palate. Therefore, this combination of findings became referred to as Pierre Robin (pronounced Roban) Sequence. Other names have been used for the condition such as Pierre Robin Syndrome and Pierre Robin Triad.

Common clinical characteristics of Pierre Robin Sequence are:

  • micrognathia (small lower jaw) or retrognathia (set back lower jaw)
  • glossoptosis (displacement of the tongue to the back of the throat)
  • cleft palate
  • and airway obstruction leading to difficulty with breathing

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM

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