Which abnormalities are characterized by Pierre Robin syndrome?

Which abnormalities are characterized by Pierre Robin syndrome?

• A. Glossoptosis, micrognathia, cleft palate
• B. Macroglossia, micrognathia
• C. Epicanthal folds, microcephaly
• D. Cleft lip only

Answer: (A)

Pierre Robin sequence is defined by a small lower jaw (micrognathia) that causes the tongue to sit backward (glossoptosis) and often results in a cleft palate because the palatal shelves don’t fuse properly. This trio—glossoptosis, micrognathia, and cleft palate—fits Pierre Robin best, as the tongue’s posterior position directly stems from the underdeveloped mandible and interferes with palate fusion. The other options don’t match this pattern: a large tongue (macroglossia) with a small jaw is not the same mechanism; facial features like epicanthal folds with microcephaly point to other syndromes; and cleft lip alone lacks the tongue position and jaw size changes that define this sequence.

Pierre Robin sequence is defined by a small lower jaw (micrognathia) that causes the tongue to sit backward (glossoptosis) and often results in a cleft palate because the palatal shelves don’t fuse properly. This trio—glossoptosis, micrognathia, and cleft palate—fits Pierre Robin best, as the tongue’s posterior position directly stems from the underdeveloped mandible and interferes with palate fusion. The other options don’t match this pattern: a large tongue (macroglossia) with a small jaw is not the same mechanism; facial features like epicanthal folds with microcephaly point to other syndromes; and cleft lip alone lacks the tongue position and jaw size changes that define this sequence.