SLP’s role in Pierre Robin Syndrome

Breathing

○Signs of airway blockage: rapid breathing, stridor, sweating, restlessness, irritability, cyanosis

○Most babies with PRS outgrow breathing problems by 6-8 months

○Treatment may include special sleep positioning, oxygen and/or operation

■Do not place a baby or infant with PRS on his/her back (tongue can block the airway)

■Prone position is preferred

●Feeding

○If child with PRS also has cleft palate, newborn will have difficulty with suck

■Will lead to fatigue due to excessive energy

■Poor weight gain

■Increased risk for airway obstruction, dysphagia, reflux and aspiration due to micrognathia and glossoptosis

○Baby can only get formula out of a bottle by pressing the nipple against the gums or roof of the mouth using the tongue

○A feeding tube may be recommended as temporary solution for weight gain

●Hearing

○Signs of ear infection: fever, irritability, crying, not sleeping well, or pulling on the ears

○Refer to an ENT

●Speech

○As infant develops, the child may have difficulty producing sounds when beginning to talk.

■Malocclusions, dental deviations

○Speech distortions due to structural anomalies or neuromuscular disorder

○Receptive and expressive language impairments due to cognitive impairments

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/plastic_surgery/pierre_robin_sequence_22,PierreRobinSequence.

https://doi.org/10.1597/04-018.1

https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2014.142