Oromandibular Limb Hypogenesis Syndrome: Overlap of Moebius and Ankyloglossia Superior With Severe Limb Defects

Abstract

The oromandibular limb hypogenesis syndromes (OLHS) represent a group of rare conditions characterized by congenital malformations involving the tongue, mandible, and limbs. In this report, we describe a newborn girl with paralysis of abducens and facial nerves, transverse agenesis of the distal segments of the limbs, micrognathia, cleft lip and palate, and ankyloglossia superior. This observation confirms an overlap between Moebius syndrome and ankyloglossia superior syndrome with severe limb defects. The etiology of the OLHS is not clearly understood. The intriguing link between facial and limb anomalies can result from their simultaneous development from the fourth to eighth week of gestation, making both areas susceptible to the same teratogenic stimuli. There is an overlap between OLHS conditions, supporting a clustering, rather than a divided nosology and requiring an appropriate classification of these conditions. Patients with OLHS can be successfully managed using a multidisciplinary approach.