Orofacial motor dysfunction in Moebius syndrome.

AIM: To review orofacial disabilities and their consequences in children with Moebius syndrome (MBS). METHOD: We retrospectively analysed the records of 32 patients (21 males, 11 females) with non-progressive bilateral facial and abducens palsies who had been examined before 6 months of age. RESULTS: All facial muscles were severely involved in 17 patients; in the 15 others, partial movements were found in the lower face. Most patients (n=24) were unable to smile. Patients frequently presented with congenital trismus (n=20) and drooling (n=18). Additional palsies involved cranial nerves IX and X (n=18) and XII (n=25). Sucking was absent or weak in 30 patients; swallowing was impaired in 25. During the first month of life, feeding disorders were graded as severe/moderate in 25. Respiratory complications occurred in 17. Severe feeding disorders were associated with congenital trismus (p=0.01) and with cranial nerve IX and X palsy (p=0.01). Growth failure between 1 and 6 months of age, followed by catch-up growth between 6 and 12 months, was observed in 20 patients. Between 2 and 5 years of age, 25 out of 32 patients attained normal oral diet and 28 out of 29 showed normal growth. INTERPRETATION: Children with MBS frequently require adjusted therapeutic options to prevent failure to thrive. Congenital trismus, cranial nerve IX and X palsy, and laryngeal-tracheal dysfunctions are predictors of severe feeding disorders. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Moebius syndrome frequently induces reduced oral intake and early failure to thrive. Normal oral diet and growth parameters are attained at 2 to 5 years of age. Congenital trismus, pharyngeal palsy, and laryngeal disorders predict dysphagia.

Pathogenesis of cranial neuropathies in Moebius syndrome: Electrodiagnostic orofacial studies.

INTRODUCTION: We designed a retrospective study of 59 patients with congenital sporadic nonprogressive bilateral facial and abducens palsies. METHODS: Examinations included needle electromyography (EMG) of facial and oral muscles, facial nerve motor latency and conduction velocity (FNCV), and blink responses (BR). RESULTS: Neurogenic EMG changes were found in 1 or more muscles in 55 of 59 patients, with no abnormal spontaneous activity. EMG changes were homogeneously neurogenic in 17 patients, homogeneously myopathic in 1 patient, and heterogeneous in 41 of 59 patients. Motor latency was increased according to recordings from 52 of 137 facial muscles. An increase of motor latency was not associated with neurogenic EMG (Fischer's test: right, P = 1; left, P = 0.76). FNCV was slowed in 19 of 36 patients. BR was absent bilaterally in 35 of 58 patients; when present, R1 and R2 latencies were normal. DISCUSSION: Our results support the hypothesis of an early developmental defect localized in motor cranial nerves with spared V-VII internuclear pathways. Muscle Nerve, 2018.

Long-term EEG in patients with the ring chromosome 20 epilepsy syndrome.

The recognizable electroencephalography (EEG) pattern of ring chromosome 20 epilepsy syndrome can be missing in patients with r(20) chromosomal anomaly, and may be found in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy of other origin. This study aims to search for more specific EEG signs by using long-term recordings and measuring the duration of paroxysmal anomalies. The series included 12 adult patients with r(20) anomaly, and 12 controls without any chromosomal aberration. We measured the duration of every paroxysmal burst and calculated the sum of their durations for each long-term EEG recording. We compared patients to controls using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Every patient showed long-lasting paroxysmal EEG bursts, up to 60 min; controls did not show any bursts longer than 60 s (p < 0.0001). The total duration of paroxysmal anomalies was significantly longer in patients (31-692 min) compared to controls (0-48 min) (p < 0.0001). Thus, long-term recordings enhance the contribution of EEG methods for characterizing the ring 20 chromosome epilepsy syndrome.

Congenital multiple cranial neuropathies: Relevance of orofacial electromyography in infants.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess diagnoses and outcomes of infants with 2 or more cranial neuropathies identified using orofacial electromyography (EMG). METHODS: This retrospective study involved 90 patients. Diagnoses took into account clinical, radiological, and genetic data. EMG examined the orbicularis oculi, genioglossus, and levator veli palatini muscles, and blink responses. To evaluate outcome, neurological disability, respiratory complications, and feeding difficulties were recorded. RESULTS: The patients had malformation syndromes (59), encephalopathies (29), or no underlying disorders (2). Neurogenic EMG signs were detected in a mean of 4 muscles, reflecting a mean of 3 affected nerves. EMG identified a higher number of neuropathies than clinical examination alone (82 vs. 31, facial; 56 vs. 2, pharyngeal; 25 vs. 3, hypoglossal). Poor outcome and death were more frequent when EMG identified ≥4 affected nerves (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: EMG highlights multiple cranial neuropathies that can be clinically silent in infants with malformation syndromes or encephalopathies.

Facial, lingual, and pharyngeal electromyography in infants with Pierre Robin sequence.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the role of electromyography (EMG) in assessing orofacial neurological dysfunction in 81 infants with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS). METHODS: Needle EMG of muscles of the face, tongue, and soft palate, and blink responses were recorded. A two-channel EMG recorded sucking and swallowing during bottle feeding. RESULTS: Neurogenic EMG signs were detected in facial or oral muscles in 17 of 24 associated PRS and 1 of 57 isolated PRS cases (P < 0.0001). Soft palate muscles showed low-amplitude traces in 41.4% of patients who required two surgical steps for cleft palate repair and 18.5% of those who required only one step. Regarding EMG study during bottle feeding, patients with moderate or severe abnormalities of oral/pharyngeal coordination required more prolonged enteral feeding than patients with mild abnormalities or normal coordination (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Combined EMG methods were useful in the treatment of infants with PRS. EMG detection of cranial nerve involvement strongly suggests an associated form of PRS.

Positive slow waves in the EEG of premature infants between 24 and 36 weeks of conceptional age.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective and longitudinal study was to characterize EEG patterns during the first weeks of life in extremely premature infants. METHODS: Twenty-five extremely premature infants were included and weekly EEG recordings were obtained between 24 and 36 weeks of conceptional age (CA). RESULTS: Central (rolandic) positive slow waves (CPSW) were found to be the most reliable and characteristic pattern. CPSWs were frequent at 24 weeks CA and progressively diminished and disappeared around 34 weeks CA. CPSWs appeared isolated or in sequences, they occurred during periods of continuous or discontinuous EEG activity, during bursts or during intervals of discontinuous activity, and unilaterally or bilaterally. Temporal positive slow waves and theta rhythms occurred less often and did not decrease as a function of CA. In addition, the amount of discontinuity progressively decreased until 36 weeks CA. The duration of bursts stayed constant, while inter-burst intervals decreased as a function of CA. CONCLUSIONS: Central positive slow waves are characteristic features of the EEG in the extremely premature infant. SIGNIFICANCE: The presence of CPSWs and their progressive disappearance until 34 weeks CA may represent a maturational marker in the EEG.

Outcomes of Neonatal Bulbar Weakness.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Neonatal bulbar weakness (BW) has various etiologies and a broad prognostic range. We aimed to report outcomes in a large series of children with neonatal BW and explore the association of orofacial electrodiagnostic data with outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the files of children who presented with facial, lingual, laryngeal, or pharyngeal weakness at birth and who underwent electrodiagnostic studies combining conventional needle electromyography (EMG) of orofacial muscles, blink responses, and EMG during bottle-feeding. Outcome measures included the need for prolonged respiratory assistance and enteral feeding, as well as sensorimotor and cognitive impairments. RESULTS: Of 175 patients, 73% had developmental disorders, 25% suffered from acquired brain damage, and 2% had no apparent underlying disorders. Motor or mental impairment was observed in 71%; death occurred in 16%. Outcomes were not significantly different when comparing developmental disorders versus acquired brain damage or neurogenic versus normal detection EMG. Abnormal blink responses were associated with higher frequencies of respiratory assistance (P = .03), gastrostomy (P = .025), and death (P = .009); moderate or severe oropharyngeal incoordinations were associated with higher frequencies of respiratory assistance (P = .006), prolonged enteral feeding (P < .0001), and gastrostomy (P = .0002). CONCLUSIONS: Orofacial electrodiagnostic studies provide supplementary information to help the pediatrician anticipate the management and prognosis of young infants with BW.

Usher syndrome type 1: early detection of electroretinographic changes.

BACKGROUND: Usher syndrome type 1 needs to be diagnosed at early age in order to timely manage speech therapy, cochlear implantation, and genetic counseling. Few data are available regarding electroretinographic testing before the age of six years. AIM: To describe electroretinographic changes in young children with Usher syndrome type 1. METHODS: Retrospective study of fourteen patients. Age at first neurophysiologic testing was between 17 months and 5 years 4 months. Electroretinogram was performed using flash stimulation in mesopic conditions in the conscious child. Analysis was focused on the amplitudes and latencies of a- and b-waves. RESULTS: Whatever the age, an abnormal fundus was always confirmed with an absent electroretinogram. The youngest patient with absent electroretinogram was 17 month-old. When recorded on and after the 29th month of age, electroretinogram was absent in all cases, including 6 patients with normal fundus. In three patients a low-amplitude electroretinogram was present at first recording within the 26th and 27th months. CONCLUSION: Electroretinogram showed retinopathy in young children with Usher syndrome type 1, even in the absence of fundoscopic signs of retinal degeneration.

Motor dysfunction of the upper digestive tract in Pierre Robin sequence as assessed by sucking-swallowing electromyography and esophageal manometry.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate motor dysfunction in infants with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) who manifest upper airway obstruction and congenital dysphagia. STUDY DESIGN: Term infants (n = 28) with nonsyndromic PRS were studied between days 15 and 45. Sucking-swallowing electromyography was used to evaluate suction and coordination between the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. Esophageal manometry was used to study the lower esophageal sphincter, esophageal body, and upper esophageal sphincter functions. Manometry results were compared with those of 16 infants with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). RESULTS: Electromyography showed incoordination of sucking and swallowing in 24 of 28 patients. The disorder was mild in 6, moderate in 6, and severe in 12 patients. All patients showed manometry disturbances: incomplete or asynchronous lower sphincter relaxation (15), multipeaked esophageal body waves (17), very high amplitude waves (14), and asynchronous upper sphincter relaxation (19). The frequency of disturbances and mean resting pressures of both lower and upper sphincters were significantly higher than GERD patients. CONCLUSION: In Pierre Robin sequence, sucking-swallowing electromyography and esophageal manometry reveal dysfunction in the motor organization of the tongue, the pharynx, and the esophagus.