How Long Do People Live With Moebius Syndrome?
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Moebius Syndrome and Symptoms
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Moebius syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that affects the sixth and seventh cranial nerves from birth, as well as other cranial nerves. Patients display a number of symptoms, including the inability to make facial expressions, inability to squint or move the eyes horizontally, a cleft palate, speech and swallowing disorders and skeletal anomalies such as limb and chest wall abnormalities. However, patients with Moebius syndrome can go on to live full, enriching lives with normal life expectancy
Living with Moebius Syndrome
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It is not easy to have Moebius syndrome, yet many of those who have it go on to lead fulfilling lives. The inability to make facial expressions is challenging, as humans rely on so much of communication with facial expressions. There are now surgeries to enable smiling by transferring muscles grafted from the thigh to each side of the face (although the surgery is both complex and lengthy). Surgery can also correct crossed eyes and improve limb and jaw deformities and other problems. Therapy can lead to improved motor control and coordination and better speaking and eating. Eye drops can be used to lubricate the eyes to overcome blinking deficiencies.
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Lifespan of People with Moebius Syndrome
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Moebuis syndrome is a highly rare disorder, with only 1 case per 50,000 newborns and only a total of 300 cases described in the English literature. Those born with the syndrome who receive proper care can achieve a normal life expectancy. However, because of the symptoms present during infancy and childhood, severe respiratory complications can lead to infant mortality. Other possibly fatal issues include feeding problems during infancy due to jaw deformities. Once Moebius patients make it past youth, they can and do lead rich, fulfilling lives.
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