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Moebius syndrome

Mobius syndrome (also spelled Moebius) is an extremely rare neurological disorder. more...

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Clinical features

Mobius syndrome is caused by abnormal development of the cranial nerves. This rare disorder has a number of causes. Most often affected are the cranial nerves VI and VII. Occasionally the cranial nerves V and VIII are affected.

If the cranial nerve VI is affected, the patient suffers from loss of lateral gaze. If cranial nerve VII is affected, the patient suffers from bilateral facial palsy — mask-like expressionless face with mouth constantly held open. If cranial VIII is affected the patient suffers from hearing loss.

Although its rarity often leads to late diagnosis, Infants with this disorder can be identified at birth: by a "mask-like" expression detectable during crying or laughing due to paralysis (palsy) of the sixth and seventh cranial nerves. Other characteristics include:

  • abnormalities in the limbs — their fingers may be webbed, shorter than usual or they may have more than 5 fingers on their hand
  • impaired sucking ability
  • inability to follow objects with the eye—instead the child turns his or her head to follow
  • crossed eyes
  • inability to smile
  • limitation of tongue movement

Later on, the child may develop speech difficulties, crossed eyes, abnormally small eyes, and fluid building up in the lungs, causing bronchopneumonia.

Treatment

There is no specific course of treatment for Mobius syndrome. Treatment is supportive and in accordance with symptoms. Infants may require feeding tubes or special bottles, such as the Haberman Feeder, to maintain sufficient nutrition. Surgery may correct crossed eyes and improve limb and jaw deformities. Physical and speech therapy often improves motor skills and coordination, and leads to better control of speaking and eating abilities. Plastic reconstructive surgery may be beneficial in some individuals. Nerve and muscle transfers to the corners of the mouth have been performed to provide limited ability to smile.

Pathological picture

The causes of Mobius syndrome are poorly understood. Many cases have no obvious cause. Others may be genetic.

Some cases are associated with reciprocal translocation between chromosomes or maternal illness. Some maternal trauma may result in impaired or interrupted blood flow (Ischemia) or lack of oxygen (Hypoxia) to a developing fetus. The use of drugs and a traumatic pregnancy may also be linked to the development of Mobius syndrome. The use of the drugs Misoprostol or Thalidomide by women during pregnancy has been linked to the development of Mobius syndrome in some cases.

Some researchers have suggested that the underlying problem of this disorder could be congenital hypoplasia or agenesis of the cranial nerve nuclei. Certain symptoms associated with Mobius syndrome may be caused by incomplete development of facial nerves, other cranial nerves, and other parts of the central nervous system.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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`Sun' apologises for picture abuse
From Independent, The (London), 8/19/98 by Jane Robins Media Correspondent

THE SUN newspaper yesterday issued an unprecedented apology for blacking out a disabled woman from a photograph before publishing it on its pages.

The Independent revealed yesterday how the Sun doctored a Reuters photograph of the England cricket team to blot out Shelley Anne Emery, a wheelchair user. The newspaper immediately issued a statement saying it had tightened up its technical procedures to ensure that there is no repeat of the incident.

Acknowledging its embarrassment, today the paper is publishing the original picture, showing Mrs Emery celebrating England's victory over South Africa at Headingley. The England and Wales Cricket Board expressed its dismay at the Sun's behaviour and sent Mrs Emery and her husband, Stephen, tickets for tomorrow's one-day tournament between England, Sri Lanka and South Africa at Lord's.

The Sun's embarrassment delighted rival tabloids but also highlighted how other newspapers have been guilty of doctoring photographs of ordinary people, and causing offence.

In 1996 the Mirror was severely criticised by the Press Complaints Commission for superimposing a smile on a two-year-old girl with partial facial paralysis. Jemma Scott was born with a rare condition called Moebius Syndrome, and had never been able to smile.

In National Smile Week the paper had described Jemma's condition, which meant that she was unable to blink, move her eyes from side to side or use her mouth muscles. Her father, Terry, had told the paper that "My dream is to see her smile."

The Mirror's response to Mr Scott's dream was to publish two versions of Jemma's face: one as she really was, the other altered by computer to produce a smile. The PCC said Mr Scott and his wife "were deeply hurt at the alteration of their daughter's features and felt the newspaper had defaced a photograph of a loving child who, through no fault of her own, could not smile openly like other children". The Mirror's editor, Piers Morgan, apologised to the Scotts and was forced to publish the PCC adjudication in the newspaper.

The Mirror was also at the centre of controversy over the doctoring of photographs of the Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed, to make it appear that they were kissing when aboard Mr Fayed's yacht last year.

After this the PCC decided to make its ethical code more explicit on the subject of altered photographs, and it is now clear that such distortions contravene industry rules.

Copyright 1998 Newspaper Publishing PLC
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.

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